Immigration
In June 2013, the Democratic controlled United States Senate passed a bill that would provide a pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens. In my view, the Senate’s immigration bill does not adequately secure our borders and it grants amnesty to people who knowingly break the law. I do not support the Senate amnesty bill and I am working to ensure it does not come to a vote in the House of Representatives.
My view on immigration is simple and will not change:
- I am opposed to amnesty in any and all forms.
- Congress must secure our borders.
- I believe Congress must ensure that anyone who is here illegally is not receiving government entitlements.
- I believe a pathway to citizenship already exists for people who follow the law and special treatment should not be given to those who have knowingly broken the law.
The House of Representatives has a much different approach to immigration reform than the 1,000 page amnesty bill passed in the Senate. The House is focused on securing our borders. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I voted for legislation that will provide a strong enforcement strategy and strengthen the security of our country. The Strengthen and Fortify Enforcement Act, also known as the SAFE Act, grants state and local law enforcement officials the authority to enforce federal immigration laws. It also strengthens national security, protects American communities from dangerous criminal aliens, improves visa security, aids U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in doing their jobs, and strengthens border security.
Like many of you, I am concerned about the U.S. Senate’s controversial immigration bill. In contrast to the SAFE Act, the U.S. Senate’s bill lacks sufficient border security and allows amnesty for illegal aliens. I oppose the Senate’s comprehensive approach to immigration reform. Please know I will continue to work with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to protect our Nation’s borders, oppose amnesty for people who have knowingly broken the law and promote stronger immigration policy.
More on Immigration
May 29, 2015
Weekly Capitol Report
This week we scored a major victory for the rule of law when a federal judge upheld a lower court’s order to stop implementation of President Obama’s executive amnesty. This is the latest development in a court case filed by 26 states to halt President Obama’s actions which would prevent illegal immigrants from being deported.
Jan 14, 2015
Press Release
WASHINGTON –Today, Congressman Jason Smith (R-Salem, MO) issued the following statement on passage of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, which funds the Department of Homeland Security, while fully defunding the president’s unconstitutional executive amnesty:
Dec 4, 2014
Press Release
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Jason Smith voted in favor of H.R. 5759, the Executive Amnesty Prevention Act of 2014, which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 219-197-3. The bill blocks the president from using executive orders to postpone deportation of illegal aliens. Congressman Jason Smith took to the House floor earlier today to speak about the president’s executive overreach.
The video of the congressman’s remarks is attached and may also be viewed on his YouTube Channel here.
Nov 21, 2014
Press Release
WASHINGTON –Today, Congressman Jason Smith (R-Salem, MO) issued the following statement on President Obama’s unconstitutional executive overreach on immigration:
“The American people have spoken, but instead of letting the new Congress do its job, President Obama is once again legislating through executive action. He has said 22 times that executive action on immigration was outside the scope of his authority, and we are not going to stand by and watch this president shred the Constitution.