U.S. Senate Border Security Caucus

Immigration roll out bills descriptions

Senator Sessions’ bill would require those who illegally enter the U.S. or destroy border enforcement equipment to serve a “mandatory minimum” sentence of imprisonment. The sentences range from 10 days for a first-time violation to 20 years for felons and repeat offenders.

Currently, employers cannot be penalized under the Immigration and Nationality Act for knowingly retaining workers with fake Social Security numbers. These workers are identified when their names and Social Security numbers do not match records at the Social Security Administration; the SSA then sends a notice to employers informing them of their employees’ illegal status. Last summer, DHS issued a “No Match” regulation, allowing them to send their own information about actions to be taken along with the SSA’s notice to employers. Senator Sessions’ bill would allow DHS to find employers guilty under the Immigration and Nationality Act when they do not respond properly to the SSA and the “no match” notice.

This bill would create a database of workers called the Electronic Employment Verification System. It would require employers to use EEVS to identify their workers, and to fire the ones who can’t be confirmed as legal. It also requires fines of up to $75,000 for employers who knowingly retain illegal workers. Under this bill, SSA and DHS could easily share information, and the SSA would be required to issue fraud-proof Social Security cards.

Senator DeMint’s bill will require the full 700 miles of fencing required by the Secure Fence Act of 2006 to be completed by the end of 2010. Today, the only deadline in the Act is that the first 370 miles be completed by the end of 2008. Additionally, the bill would clarify that the miles of “vehicle barriers” currently being used by DHS at parts of the border do not count towards the 700 miles.

This act would clarify that English is the national language of the U.S., and that there is no requirement for documents and services to be presented in any other language.

National Guardsmen and Customs and Border Protection began placing National Guard troops along the border in 2006 as part of “Operation Jump Start.” The operation was very successful, with as many as 6,000 Guardsmen training and assisting the CBP over the past two years. However, Operation Jump Start is being phased out and is scheduled to be eliminated by this summer. This bill would allow Operation Jump Start to continue with 6,000 Guardsmen on our Southwest border and allow governors in border states to utilize their own Guardsmen for border control activities.

Chambliss/Isakson S 2717: The Effective Immigration Enforcement Partnerships Act of 2008

This Act contains provisions that promote cooperation between state and local law enforcement officials and the federal government on enforcement issues, including offering a training course for state and local officials on enforcement; compensating state and local offices for costs related to immigration enforcement; and clarifying rules that allow state and local officials to enforce federal laws. It also expands the “Immigration Violators File” to include aliens against whom a final order of removal has been issued; aliens who have signed a voluntary departure agreement; aliens who have overstayed their authorized period of stay and aliens whose visas have been revoked.

Senator Barrasso: Discouraging the Issuance of Drivers Licenses to Illegal Immigrants Act of 2008

Some states do not take the necessary steps to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining driver’s licenses, and some even knowingly issue licenses to illegal aliens. Sen. Barasso’s bill would require states to verify an applicant’s Social Security number and immigration status before issuing them a license. States that do not comply will have 10 percent of their federal highway funding withheld.

President Clinton issued an executive order during his administration that required federal agencies to provide assistance to persons of limited English proficiency in their native language. Senator Dole’s bill would repeal that executive order, and would restrict the use of federal money to provide government services in a foreign language.

This bill would prevent immigrants with multiple DUI convictions from becoming legal residents or receiving benefits.