Judiciary Committee Considering Visa Bonding

Human Events, Vol. 58, No. 12 | week of March 25, 2002 | Keri-Ann Calderwood

[RFP]

   The immigration reform bill under consideration by the House Judiciary
Committee may include a proposal to require people entering the United
States on temporaty visas to post a bond to guarantee that they leave when
their visas expire.
   George Fishman, chief counsel of the House-Immigration
Subcommittee, recently attended the largest bail agent conference in the
United States to discuss the possibility of a "Visa Bond." Supporters
of the proposal say it is a simple way to enhance national security
through the visa process.
   The bond would work just like bail bonds posted in criminal cases. A
foreign student or other temporary visa holder would pay a percentage of the
bond up front and the bail agent would guarantee the remainder. The bail
agent would then be financially responsible for ensuring that the visa holder
complies with the conditions of his visa. If the visitor is a student, the
bail agent would verify that the student is registered and attending
classes. If the visa holder fails to meet the conditions of the visa, the
bail agent will turn him over to the Immigration and Naturalization 
Service (INS) for deportation.
   "There are two benefits of a visa bond," said Steven Camarota of the
Center for Immigration Studies (CIS). "First, a bond provides a monetary
incentive for the visitor to leave when his visa has expired, and second,
a visa bond privatizes the entry-exit process."
   Presently, there is no system to monitor when or whether temporary
visa holders leave the country when their visas expire. "Enforcing
an entry-exit system is key, because terrorists have gained entrance to
the United States with student visas and we know that tens of thousands
of people overstay their visa each year," said Camarota. "We can't
do things the way we have done in the past. Wheter or not it made sense
in the past, it does not make sense to issue temporary visas without an
entry-exit system now."
   Camarota says that foreign students should have no problem paying the
bond. "Universities have been claiming for years that foreign students
are essential because they pay their own way," he said. "If these
rich, elite kids can afford to pay full tuition and expenses to come
to American universities, than they can afford to pay a bond."

Miss Calderwood, a senior at Brigham Young University, is an intern with the National Journalism Center.

[RFP]

Check out the following website called www.ibond.com. The mechanism is already in place for Visa Bonding!

American Immigration Bonding, Inc.

Nationwide Immigration Bond Specialist

U.S. Immigration Bond Specialists
Providing Immigration Bonds to people being detained by Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Nationwide Service.
Familiar with release procedures for all of the major I.N.S. Facilities.
Work by fax & phone for fast service.
Ask and answer questions pertaining to immigration on the Bulletin Boards

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

"First, a bond provides a monetary incentive for the visitor to leave when his visa has expired, and second, a visa bond privatizes the entry-exit process."

Okay, let's waste a lot of time discussing nonsense and then simply let in anyone who feels like moving with us.

There used to be an immigration law, called Simpson-Mazzoli that was supposed to punished employers for hiring illegal aliens. It was passed as the counter-weight to the huge amnesty granted during Reagan's first term. Does anyone know whether it's still enforced? I don't think it is.

To conclude, any 'amnesty' is bad, regardless whether it's accompanied by some 'tough' law addressing future immigration. History shows that our compassionate authorities are much more confortable tracking our incomes, our incorrect thoughts or our smoking habits than defending our borders.

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

"First, a bond provides a monetary incentive for the visitor to leave when his visa has expired, and second, a visa bond privatizes the entry-exit process."

Okay, let's waste a lot of time discussing nonsense and then simply let in anyone who feels like moving with us.

There used to be an immigration law, called Simpson-Mazzoli that was supposed to punished employers for hiring illegal aliens. It was passed as the counter-weight to the huge amnesty granted during Reagan's first term. Does anyone know whether it's still enforced? I don't think it is.

To conclude, any 'amnesty' is bad, regardless whether it's accompanied by some 'tough' law addressing future immigration. History shows that our compassionate authorities are much more confortable tracking our incomes, our incorrect thoughts or our smoking habits than defending our borders.

[Badray]

"Wait a second now, Atta and some of his crew requested and received visas."

You are right. In fact, I think something like 11 of them entered legally and then overstayed.

The idea that I like is for all those coming in to the country to have a citizen sponsor. If they are a home owner, the home becomes the bond for the visitor. Otherwise, a high cash bond would work. If the visitor doesn't 'check out' on time, we start the proceeding to take the bond - cash or house. No citizen sponsor - no entry. Let all those clamoring for open borders and immigration 'fairness' put their money where their mouth is.

[Steve0113]

Does anyone know whether it's still enforced? I don't think it is.

Yes it is, in my experience. I had to provide proof of citizenship before being hired at both of the jobs I've had since it was passed.

[another cricket]

representative Conyers

Okay, I contracted his office. Not that my opinion has much chance of influencing the little creep.

In my humble opinion this is a good idea. Especially if the Visa bond holders send out bounty hunters to track down over-stayers. Goodness knows that INS can’t be bothered.

a.cricket

[dennisw]

The vast majority of illegals in Florida consist of those who overstay their visas.

 Especially the Colombians who come on a business or tourist visa with plans to stay forever. This bonded visa idea would put a big crimp in their immigration scams what with the stiffed bail bondsmen sending their bounty hunters after tem. Private bounty hunters are much more motivated than the stupid INS to find "disappeared" visa overstayers.

[Twodees]

Scott would just tell me to FOAD. That's what I told him the only time I ever met him and he probably would like to throw it back at me. Anyway, I'm not in the district of any of those reps. I'll pass it on to my rep, Randy Forbes. He'll probably tell me ok, and then say "FOAD" after he hangs up the phone. ;-)

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

Yes it is, in my experience. I had to provide proof of citizenship before being hired at both of the jobs I've had since it was passed.

I don't know... I haven't heard of any employer being fined for hiring 'undocumented' illegals. My understanding is that at least some of those illegals work, right? Well... who's hiring them?

[another cricket]

I haven't heard of any employer being fined for hiring 'undocumented' illegals.

Tyson Chicken?

a. cricket

[stand watie]

LG is interested in just ONE thing NOW = winning a SENATE seat!

for dixie,sw

[RFP]

Attention Californians - PLEASE visit the following website http://www.house.gov/judiciary/members.htm and click on the link for House Judiciary Committee representatives Issa, Berman, Lofgren, Waters, Gallegly, and Schiff. PLEASE tell them to support Visa Bonding and initiate legislation to move this immigration reform idea forward. FReegards!

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for the ping and the request. I will contact them.

This is a great idea. We can have private citizens rounding up the violators in the American way when their Visa expires. The new career of this decade may be the new Bail Bondsman specializing in rounding up those who are violating the visa laws!

You wouldn't need INS. A private concern could handle the registration and notification when the Visa is violated and notify the bonding company. Then, the bond company sends out one of its private contractors to find, arrest and bring in the violators!

Then we could have new tv shows, series and even TV movies on the brave men and women rounded up the Visa Bond violators.

[Max McGarrity]

And while there, tell them to forget piling another punitive tax on the backs of smokers, i,e., VOTING FOR ANOTHER TOBACCO TAX INCREASE MAY BE HARMFUL TO YOUR POLITICAL HEALTH!

[hchutch]

I like this idea, too.

Try not to get too worried about it. ;-)

[Badray]

"We need to seriously cut down immigration numbers, too."

Again, I agree. I think that this will cut down on the numbers. How many people will be willing to risk everything that they have worked for to help someone that they do not know very well. People hesitate to cosign a car loan for their extended family. How many will risk their house for a stranger or even a shaky family member? The added benefit of a citizen sponsor is that you have another person to go after if the imigrant takes off.

[Badray]

"I think your idea is a good one, however I also think that it's politically undoable. Pres. Bush for one, would never go for this."

Of course he wouldn't. But my job is only to think of the good ideas and push them to the extreme. Then your job is to make it workable and look moderate by comparison to the original idea. ;-)