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Senate Debates Immigration Bills
This week, the US Senate began floor debates on two immigration bills. One bill is very similar to the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act (HR 4437), which passed the House in December 2005. This bill would secure America's borders and would get tough on illegal immigration by enforcing the law. The other immigration bill under debate was drafted in the Senate Judiciary Committee. This bill has many troubling provisions that are not contained in the House passed bill.
Rep. Myrick hopes that the Senate will adopt a bill similar to the House bill. She does not support allowing illegal aliens to remain in the United States. "If they want to live and work in the US, they must go back to their home country and go through the proper channels like all law abiding immigrants. Allowing them to remain here not only rewards them for breaking the law, but it is a slap to the face of immigrants who have been working toward citizenship."
The following is a list of provisions in the Senate Judiciary bill, which Rep. Myrick opposes:
All Illegal Aliens
All 12 million illegal aliens in the US would be permitted to stay here in the US and apply for a work visa after paying back taxes and a $1000 penalty.
The visas would last for three years and be renewable for three more years.
After the forth year, they would be permitted to apply for a green card setting them on a path for citizenship.
Illegal Alien Agricultural Workers
All 1.5 million illegal alien agricultural worker would receive a new "blue card" that would allow them to remain in the United States as long as they work in agriculture for a small portion of two years.
Following this period all of them, and their families- which raises the numbers dramatically- would be permitted to apply for a green card, placing them on a path toward citizenship.
Expansion of Guest Worker Visas
Provides 400,000 new guest worker visas annually.
New guest workers given renewable 3 year terms of work authorization.
Following 6 years, they may then apply for green cards, placing them on a path toward citizenship if they can show that they are learning English and pass background checks.
Illegal Aliens and Education
Repeals current law barring in-state tuition for illegal aliens unless the same benefit is made available to out of state residents. The result will be American citizen competing with illegal aliens for limited space in Colleges and Universities.
Rewarding Illegal Aliens
Makes a visa violation (staying in the US past your allotted time) a civil violation, removing all current criminal penalties.
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