[TC Builders]

Here's my reply from Rat Debbie Stabenow, I haven't gotten a reply from any of my other Rats.

Because of your strong interest . .



. . . I am writing to update you on the status of the immigration bills before the Senate. You will be pleased to know that all three of the proposals being debated have tough border security and enforcement provisions which I strongly support. I have been to our southern border and have seen for myself how out-of-control it is. I have included a summary of the enforcement provisions for your review.



In addition, I am sponsoring an amendment with Senator Byron Dorgan to eliminate the new guest worker program being proposed. At a time when the Administration and Congress should be fighting for American jobs, it's wrong to create a program to bring in 400,000 new guest workers every year in addition to the process set up for those who are already here. Importing cheap labor or exporting American jobs are the wrong priorities for Michigan.



The proposals before us have many different provisions and are very complicated. As a northern border state with an important agriculture economy, we have issues we must address. That's why I believe we need a balanced and comprehensive solution. But it must start with tough border security and it must not add new guest worker programs that undermine American jobs and wages.



As the debate continues, I will fight for these principles. Our immigration system is broken and it must be fixed! Thank you for sharing your views with me. Please don't hesitate to contact me whenever I can be of assistance to you and your family.



Sincerely,

Debbie Stabenow

United States Senator





Immigration Enforcement Provisions in Senate Immigration Bill


Doubled Border Patrol -- adds 12,000 new agents (2,400 each year for the next 5 years).

Doubled Interior Enforcement -- adds 1,000 investigators per year for next 5 years.

Tightened Controls--expands exit-entry security system at all land borders and airports.

Construction of Barriers -- mandates new roads and vehicle barriers at borders.

Construction of Fences -- provides additional border fences at specific vulnerable sectors.

New Checkpoints -- authorizes new permanent highway checkpoints near border.

New Security Perimeter -- adds new technology at the border to help stop illegal immigration

New Ports of Entry -- authorizes additional ports of entry along land borders.

Increased DHS Resources for Transporting Aliens -- requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to expand ability to retrieve aliens detained by local police.

New Criminal Penalties for Tunnels -- creates new crime for construction, financing, and use of unlawful tunnels.

New Criminal Penalties for Evading Immigration Officers -- creates significant criminal penalties for evading or refusing to obey commands of immigration officers.

New Criminal Penalties for Money Laundering -- creates significant criminal penalties for financial transactions related to money laundering or smuggling.

Comprehensive Surveillance Plan -- mandates new land and water surveillance plan.

Expanded Anti-Smuggling Efforts -- mandates assistance to secure Mexico's southern border.

Improved inter-agency coordination on alien smuggling-- requires DHS to develop and implement plan to improve coordination between federal agencies and local authorities involved in efforts to combat alien smuggling.

Increased Document Fraud Detection -- increases access to anti-fraud detection resources.

Biometric Identifiers--new fraud-proof immigration documents with biometrics.

Expanded Detention Authority -- provides new authority to detain dangerous individuals.

Increased Detention Facilities -- requires DHS to acquire 20 new detention facilities to accommodate at least 10,000 detainees.

Expanded Terrorist Removal Grounds-- expands authority to remove suspected terrorists.

Expanded Aggravated Felony Definition -- increases penalties for participation in smuggling and other crimes plus revises and expands definition of aggravated felony.

Faster Removal -- tightens removal period, adds new penalties for failure to depart.

Increased Criminal Sentences -- enhances sentences for repeat illegal entrants and variety of other crimes.

New Removal Grounds -- adds new passport and fraud offenses as ground for removal.

Removal of Criminals Prior to Release -- expands immigration hearings in prisons.

State and Local Police Authority -- authorizes state and local law enforcement officers to investigate, apprehend, arrest, detain or transfer to aliens to federal custody.

Immigration Status in National Crime Database -- requires inclusion of information about immigration status violators in national database

Prohibits Time Limits on Background Checks -- bars any immigration benefits until background checks are completed.

Criminal Penalties for Aid to Undocumented -- makes aiding undocumented a crime, but provides defense if aid is purely humanitarian.

Assistance to States -- provides reimbursement for costs of prosecuting and imprisoning undocumented criminal aliens.

[ANGGAPO]

I like this one.

[New Girl]

Standard merge-mail form letter response drafted by a 23-year-old legislative correspondent.

[Don Joe]

Assistance to States -- provides reimbursement for costs of prosecuting and imprisoning undocumented criminal aliens.

Wow!

About a week after I began using that term (in lieu of the uber-propagandized "illegal aliens"), and urging EVERYONE to use it (and explained why), I heard a "Republican Strategist" (whose name escapes me) use it on a Fox News interview show.

Now even a RAT is using it!

It has traction!

(I cannot forsee the day when any operative tries spinning it via propaganda such as "law-abiding criminal aliens"!)