Posted on 03/12/2002 5:27:41 PM PST by hchutch
WASHINGTON, March 12 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The House today by a 275-137 margin passed legislation providing critical visa and border security safeguards. These protections, already passed by the House without opposition on December 19, 2001, have been held up by Democratic opposition in the Senate.
"This legislation provides vital changes to our immigration laws to fight terrorism and prevent exploitation by some illegal aliens who wish to harm Americans. It builds upon enhanced data sharing requirements in the PATRIOT Act and includes key changes to our immigration laws such as requiring new biometric visas and strengthening the foreign student tracking system," stated House Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-Wis.). "It's time for the Senate Leadership to act on this legislation. The visa and border security provisions passed almost three months ago and we've seen zero movement by the Senate."
Visa and border security highlights include:
-- Strengthening the foreign student tracking system by requiring that it track: 1) the acceptance of aliens by educational institutions; 2) the issuance of visas to the aliens; 3) the admission into the U.S. of the aliens and the notification of these educational institutions of the admittance of these aliens; and 4) the enrollment of the aliens at the institutions.
-- Requiring the State Department by October 26, 2003 to only issue to aliens visas and other travel documents that are tamper-resistant and machine-readable using standardized biometric identifiers. Aliens entering the U.S. under the visa waiver program will have to possess passports with the same features (if issued after this date). By the same date (October 26, 2003) the INS must install scanners to read the biometric documents at all ports of entry. The INS must implement an integrated entry and exit data system (for nationals of countries other than Canada) containing arrival and departure data from these documents.
-- Requiring U.S. embassies and consulates to utilize terrorist lookout committees in order to ensure that the names of known terrorists are routinely and consistently brought to the attention of consular officials.
-- Barring nationals of countries that are state sponsors of terrorism from receiving temporary visas unless it has been determined that the aliens do not pose a threat to the safety of Americans or the national security of the U.S.
-- Providing an electronic data system that allows current and immediate access for consular officers and INS officials to information in databases of U.S. law enforcement agencies and the intelligence community.
-- Authorizing an additional 200 INS inspectors and 200 INS investigative personnel for each of the fiscal years 2002 through 2006. Also increases the pay and training of INS personnel, including Border Patrol agents, and beefs up consular offices at U.S. embassies. $150 million is authorized for the INS for improving technology at the border.
Today's legislation also included a temporary extension of the 245(i) immigration program. H.R. 1885 will allow qualifying illegal aliens to utilize section 245(i) as long as they have green card petitions filed on their behalf by the earlier of November 30, 2002, or four months after the date the Attorney General issues implementing regulations. It also requires that aliens must have entered the family relationships qualifying them for permanent residence by August 14, 2001. Under H.R. 1885, section 245(i) is a temporary program that will not become a permanent part of U.S. immigration law. A similar extension of the 245(i) program passed the House on May 21, 2001 by a 336-43 margin.
The issue of any amnesty being offered is an affront to those of us who expect our borders to be enforced, as per US law. As it is, this legislation STILL rewards those circumventers of US immigration laws who thumbed their noses at the INS, while defying the will of the American people.
And that's supposed to be acceptable?
In case you didn't know, planes, ships, tanks, and guns that our troops use are made with steel or something close to that. The decision to impose the tariffs was motivated by the same thing that's motivating Bush to open ANWR for exploration and drilling - national security.
Now I can appreciate that this does give a pass to someone who violated the law, and I would rather we had another option. Personally, I think Daschle is being forced to pass this bill BECAUSE the amnesty is on it.
Right you are. Facts are confusing and inconvenient things, anyway.
It's much more fun for some people (on another thread) to hold their collective breath, get red in the face, stomp their feet, and scream that Bush has lost their vote forever.
As if they had EVER voted for Bush anyway.
The other provisions are pretty damn good, IMHO. Probably more important in the long term than that four-month grace period. The only option we have is to box `em in. I don't see any better ideas.
Do you have any constructive solutions, bearing in mind we're currently stretched somewhat thin due to the war on terror?
I suppose if Daschle sits on this bill, all the anti-immigration people will call him a hero, even though the bill will also improve border security and immigration controls.
Because we all know Daschle has principles.
Do we take a short-term hit to get stuff more important in the long term? I say we should. The other provisions in this bill are pretty good. Is the bill perfect? No. But seeing as the visa and border provisions that EVERYONE here seems to want are not going anywhere on their own, we've got to find a way to get them through.
Do you have any better ideas, given the conditions (objective AND political) that we have right now? I'm open for suggestions.
Now no sleeper terrorist has to worry about being deported or picked up because his visa is expired, he can pay a grand and get his green card and he is home free. Can't touch him.
Not to mention rewarding lawbreakers, bringing in third worlders with an agenda and giving them a voters registration card. Good grief man.
Your reply is so Clintonesque. It depends on what the definition of is is or lawbreakers as in this case.
Have you any idea what this scheme of wholesale amnesty will cost us in the long run, beside the loss of respect of our government by it's own citizens? The fact is the "people's" opinion is inconsequential and superceded by the opinion of El Senor Fox.
Solution? Why not simply aggresively deport ALL illegals and start from scratch? Answer: Because it is POLITICALLY INCORRECT.
Because the economy would crumble, like it or not.
The Dems cave and pass it and we get good visa and border security provisions, or they bottle it up in the Senate and we et to play the race card on THEM for a change. If it makes you feel better, call it payback for that James Byrd ad.
I know this might sound Clintonian, but I still remember that Florida debacle and the lengths they went to. Presenting the Dems with a Faustian bargain either way they go is nowhere close to the stuff Gore and his people pulled during their effort to steal the Florida in the 2000 election.
If I could avoid politics, I would. But unfortunately, the left doesn't give me that option. With what they have done to Pickering and the lengths they went to in Florida in 2000, I'm stuck with following this stuff when I'd rather be following my favorite sports teams (the Chicago Bears and Milwaukee Brewers). But the left didn't give me that option, and they're going to fight as dirty as they have to so they can keep their power and tell me how to live my life.
I want to see Daschle as minority leader in 2003, and in private life in 2005. If that means I have to give him a Faustian bargain like this, then so be it. I find it much more ethical than the stunts the Dems pull.
By the way, I don't see a response to my post #42. Did I answer your objections to the steel tariff adequetely?
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