There are currently more than 16,000 border patrol agents protecting the land and sea borders of the United States, most of who are stationed along the U.S.-Mexico border. The border patrol uses a variety of tools to deter and apprehend smugglers and potential illegal immigrants, including using dune buggies to combat drug smuggling on the California-Baja California border, mounted patrols to combat human smugglers, and helicopters equipped with thermal imaging devices to find illegal alien convoys at night.
H.R. 561 (Secure Travel and Counterterrorism Partnership Act) - would require DHS to establish a pilot program to expand the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) (which now allows citizens of 27 countries to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without a visa, and, because there is little scrutiny of VWP “travelers,” has provided easy entry for terrorists and created a black market for stolen or forged passports from such countries) to include up to five new countries that are cooperating with the United States on security and counterterrorism matters, provided those nations first come to counterterrorism and security information sharing agreements with the United States; would allow such a country’s participation in the VWP for three years, with one two-year extension possible, but would authorize DHS to terminate a country’s participation for VWP program noncompliance; and would require DHS to: (1) develop and implement procedures to improve the manner of calculating visa overstay rates; and (2) submit a report to Congress describing plans for enhancing secure travel standards for existing VWP countries. Rep. Phil English (R-Pa.) is the measure’s main sponsor.
H.R. 702 (Secure Border Crossing Card Entry Act of 2007) – would establish parity between Mexican nationals who possess a valid biometric Border Crossing Card (BCC [also known as a “laser visa”]) who have completed the necessary security checks (a rarity in today’s lax enforcement environment) who visit the United States and Canadian “visitors” by allowing BCC bearers to remain in the United States for up to six months (currently, Mexican nationals with BCCs may only stay in the United States for up to 30 days, while Canadians possessing “tourist” visas may stay up to one year); would retain DHS’ authority to set the length of time those with BCCs may remain in the United States; would authorize that agency to modify the length of admission on a case-by-case basis if good cause exists; and would make a Mexican national inadmissible for the BCC admission period if: (1) he/she is inadmissible as a nonimmigrant; (2) he/she has previously violated his/her nonimmigrant status; or (3) the BCC was not processed through a machine reader at the U.S. port of entry. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) is the measure’s main sponsor.
No Cosponsors
H.R. 750 – would soften penalties for criminal behavior. Specifically, this legislation would: waive drug charges for possessing less than 30 grams of marijuana; waive the first aggravated felony offense (if the penalty calls for less than one year in prison); removes any repeat alien smuggling offense if an individual smuggling a child, spouse, or parent; eliminates the simple possession charge for drug smuggling; and would redefine other aggravated felony charges. Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas) is the bill's main sponsor.
H.R. 1117 (REAL ID Repeal and Identification Security Enhancement Act of 2007) - would repeal the REAL ID Act’s provisions implementing secure driver’s license/personal identification card standards; would prohibit a Federal agency from accepting a driver’s license or identification card newly issued by a state more than two years after minimum standards are promulgated (pursuant to a negotiated rulemaking process involving specified stakeholders), unless the license or card conforms to those standards; would require states to be in full compliance (i.e., each state would be required to certify compliance with DHS) with those minimum standards within five years of the standards being issued, unless DHS determines that a later deadline for compliance is more feasible; and would require DHS to award grants to states to assist them in conforming with minimum standards for driver’s licenses and identification cards as established pursuant to this bill. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Maine) is the measure’s main sponsor.
H.R. 1465 - would authorize DHS to waive mandatory requirements for a country’s participation in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) – a program which now allows citizens of 27 countries to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without a visa, and, because there is little scrutiny of VWP “travelers,” has provided easy entry for terrorists and created a black market for stolen or forged passports from such countries – if the agency determines that: (1) the country has developed a viable plan to meet the requirements within three years; (2) the country has made significant progress (not defined within this bill) in reducing its nonimmigrant visa refusal rate in the previous two years; (3) waiving the requirements would not compromise the security or welfare of the United States; and (4) the country has fully cooperated in counterterrorism and information sharing initiatives; and would require DHS – in consultation with the State Department and within one year of enactment – to submit a report to Congress describing plans for enhancing secure travel standards for VWP countries. Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.) is the measure’s main sponsor.
H.R. 1543 (Visa Waiver Modernization Act) - would grant DHS the authority to waive the Visa Waiver Program’s (VWP) “low nonimmigrant visa refusal rate” requirements with respect to a country’s participation in the VWP (i.e., have a low nonimmigrant visa refusal rate for two years [averaging no more than two percent over both years, not exceeding 2.5 percent in any one year] or no more than a three percent refusal rate for the most recent fiscal year) if: (1) DHS determines that the country has mitigated security risks to the point that participation in the VWP would not compromise U.S. law enforcement, security interests, or immigration enforcement; (2) there has been a sustained reduction in visa refusal rates for aliens from the country and reductions are likely to continue; (3) the country cooperated with the United States on security and counterterrorism matters before participation in the VWP; and (4) the country meets all security requirements, including some new prerequisites (e.g., improved reporting of lost or stolen passports, information sharing regarding prospective visitors, prompt repatriation of aliens ordered removed from the United States, etc.), for participation in the VWP; would require DHS to develop and implement a fully-automated electronic travel authorization system to collect basic biographical information to determine, in advance of travel, the eligibility of an alien to travel to the United States under the VWP; would require DHS to establish an exit system to record flight departures leaving the United States of every alien participating in the VWP. Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) is the measure’s main sponsor.
H.R. 2006 (Secure Visa Waiver and Preventing Terrorist Travel Partnership Act/Secure Visa Waiver Travel Act) - would grant DHS the authority to waive the Visa Waiver Program’s (VWP) “low nonimmigrant visa refusal rate” requirements with respect to a country’s participation in the VWP (i.e., have a low nonimmigrant visa refusal rate for two years [averaging no more than two percent over both years, not exceeding 2.5 percent in any one year] or no more than a three percent refusal rate for the most recent fiscal year) if: (1) DHS (in consultation with the State and Justice Departments) determines that the country has mitigated security risks to the point that participation in the VWP would not compromise U.S. homeland security, law enforcement, security interests, or immigration enforcement; (2) there has been a sustained reduction in visa refusal rates for aliens from the country and reductions are likely to continue; (3) the country actively cooperated with the United States to prevent terrorist travel and enhance U.S. border security , including sharing counterrorism and law enforcement information before participation in the VWP; (4) the country meets all security requirements, including some new prerequisites (e.g., improved reporting of lost or stolen passports, information sharing regarding prospective visitors, prompt repatriation of aliens ordered removed from the United States, etc.), for participation in the VWP; and (5)(a) the average number of refusals of tourist/business visas for nationals of that country during the previous fiscal year was less than six percent; or (b) the total number of nationals of that country who were denied admission or who withdrew their application for admission to the United States, combined with the total number of nationals of that country who were admitted as nonimmigrant visitors but who violated the terms of such admission, thereby presenting a potential security risk, was less than two percent of the total number of nationals of that country who applied for admission to the United States as nonimmigrant visitors during the previous fiscal year; would require DHS to develop and implement a fully-automated electronic travel authorization system to collect basic biographical information to determine, in advance of travel, the eligibility of an alien to travel to the United States under the VWP; and would require DHS to establish an exit system to record flight departures leaving the United States of every alien participating in the VWP. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) is the measure’s main sponsor.
No Cosponsors
H.R. 2526 - would designate Greece as a program country under the visa waiver program (which now allows citizens of 27 countries to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without a visa, and, because there is little scrutiny of VWP “travelers,” has provided easy entry for terrorists and created a black market for stolen or forged passports from such countries). Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) is the measure’s main sponsor.
H.R. 2593 (Borderlands Conservation and Security Act of 2007) - would eliminate the statutory requirement, established by the Secure Fence Act of 2006, that DHS construct at least two layers of reinforced fencing at certain places along the southern border; would require DHS to consult with the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Interior (DOI), other Federal agencies (as appropriate), and state, local, and tribal officials regarding any border fencing, barriers, "virtual fencing," etc.; would prohibit construction of any fencing from beginning on USDA or DOI lands until DHS, USDA, and DOI jointly develop and submit to Congress a "border protection strategy," as defined and required by this bill; would postpone the deadline for installation of an interlocking surveillance camera system along the fenced areas by one year (i.e., until May 30, 2008); would require that "low impact border enforcement techniques" be utilized on Federal lands whenever practiable; and would repeal a statutory waiver of provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to ensure expeditious construction of border barriers. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) is the measure's main sponsor.
H.R. 3270 (Visitors Interested in Strengthening America [VISA] Act of 2007) - would authorize DHS officials to waive entry documentary requirements for a nonimmigrant alien child (unmarried and under the age of 16) who is a Mexican national and his accompanying parent or adult chaperone in instances of: (1) medical visits; (2) student groups; or (3) special community events. Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.) is the measure's main sponsor.
No Cosponsors
S. 4 (Improving America's Security Act of 2007) - would grant DHS the authority to waive the Visa Waiver Program’s (VWP) “low nonimmigrant visa refusal rate” requirements with respect to a country’s participation in the VWP (i.e., have a low nonimmigrant visa refusal rate for two years [averaging no more than two percent over both years, not exceeding 2.5 percent in any one year] or no more than a three percent refusal rate for the most recent fiscal year) if: (1) there has been a sustained reduction in visa refusal rates for nonimmigrant visitor visa for nationals of the country and reductions are likely to continue; (2) the country cooperated with the United States on security and counterterrorism matters before participation in the VWP; (3) the country meets all security requirements, including some new prerequisites (e.g., improved reporting of lost or stolen passports, information sharing regarding prospective visitors, prompt repatriation of aliens ordered removed from the United States, etc.), for participation in the VWP; and (4) either: (a) the refusal rate for nonimmigrant visitor visas during the previous full fiscal year was not more than 10 percent; or (b) if the visa overstay rate for the country for the previous fiscal year does not exceed the maximum visa overstay rate (as established by DHS pursuant to this bill following DHS’ certification that an air exit system is in place [as directed by this bill]); and would require DHS to notify Congress 30 days before waiving any criteria for participation in the VWP. Sen. Harry Reid (D-N.V.) is the measure’s main sponsor.
S. 9 (Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007) - would provide a sense of Congress that “comprehensive” immigration legislation (i.e., containing amnesties for illegal aliens, “guestworker” programs, etc.) should be enacted. (NumbersUSA believes that this is a “shell” bill, which, at some point, will be amended to include language very similar to that which the Senate passed in 2006 [S. 2611 {which, among other things, would have: (1) required the State Department to work with Mexican officials to educate Mexican nationals regarding eligibility for nonimmigrant status in the United States to ensure they are not exploited while working here; to “encourage circular migration, including assisting in the development of economic opportunities and providing job training for Mexican nationals”; (2) required consultation with Mexico before construction of a border fence in order to “solicit the views of affected communities; lessen tensions; and foster greater understanding”; and (3) postponed the deadline for implementation of the requirement that U.S. citizens carry passports or other secure documents denoting identity and citizenship status when re-entering the United States from Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean from January 1, 2008, to “the later of June 1, 2009, or [three] months after” the State Department and DHS certify that Passport Cards or some alternative document has been issued and publicized widely}].) Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is the measure’s main sponsor.
S. 342 (Secure Travel and Counterterrorism Partnership Act) - would require DHS to establish a pilot program to expand the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) (which now allows citizens of 27 countries to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without a visa, and, because there is little scrutiny of VWP “travelers,” has provided easy entry for terrorists and created a black market for stolen or forged passports from such countries) to include up to five new countries that are cooperating with the United States on security and counterterrorism matters, provided those nations first come to counterterrorism and security information sharing agreements with the United States; would allow such a country’s participation in the VWP for three years, with one two-year extension possible, but would authorize DHS to terminate a country’s participation for VWP program noncompliance; and would require DHS to: (1) develop and implement procedures to improve the manner of calculating visa overstay rates; and (2) submit a report to Congress describing plans for enhancing secure travel standards for existing VWP countries. Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) is the measure’s main sponsor.
S. 422 (Secure Border Crossing Card Entry Act of 2007) - would establish parity between Mexican nationals who possess a valid biometric Border Crossing Card (BCC [also known as a “laser visa”]) who have completed the necessary security checks (a rarity in today’s lax enforcement environment) who visit the United States and Canadian “visitors” by allowing BCC bearers to remain in the United States for up to six months (currently, Mexican nationals with BCCs may only stay in the United States for up to 30 days, while Canadians possessing “tourist” visas may stay up to one year); would retain DHS’ authority to set the length of time those with BCCs may remain in the United States; would authorize that agency to modify the length of admission on a case-by-case basis if good cause exists; and would make a Mexican national inadmissible for the BCC admission period if: (1) he/she is inadmissible as a nonimmigrant; (2) he/she has previously violated his/her nonimmigrant status; or (3) the BCC was not processed through a machine reader at the U.S. port of entry. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) is the measure’s main sponsor.
S. 563 - would delay implementation of the REAL ID Act’s secure driver’s license/personal identification card standards by two years; would stipulate that if DHS determines that Federal or state electronic systems required to verify the validity and completeness of REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or identification cards are not available to any state upon the implementation date, minimum standards for driver’s license and/or identification card issuance would not apply to any state until adequate electronic validation systems are available to all states; and would reinstate a disbanded negotiated rulemaking process to develop Federal driver's license and ID standards. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is the measure’s main sponsor.
S. 653 (Secure Travel and Counterterrorism Partnership Act) - would grant DHS the authority to waive the Visa Waiver Program’s (VWP) “low nonimmigrant visa refusal rate” requirements with respect to a country’s participation in the VWP (i.e., have a low nonimmigrant visa refusal rate for two years [averaging no more than two percent over both years, not exceeding 2.5 percent in any one year] or no more than a three percent refusal rate for the most recent fiscal year) if: (1) DHS determines that the country has mitigated security risks to the point that participation in the VWP would not compromise U.S. law enforcement, security interests, or immigration enforcement; (2) there has been a sustained reduction in visa refusal rates for aliens from the country and reductions are likely to continue; (3) the country cooperated with the United States on security and counterterrorism matters before participation in the VWP; and (4) the country meets all security requirements, including some new prerequisites (e.g., improved reporting of lost or stolen passports, information sharing regarding prospective visitors, prompt repatriation of aliens ordered removed from the United States, etc.), for participation in the VWP; would require DHS to develop and implement a fully-automated electronic travel authorization system to collect basic biographical information to determine, in advance of travel, the eligibility of an alien to travel to the United States under the VWP; and would require DHS to establish an exit system to record flight departures leaving the United States of every alien participating in the VWP. Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) is the measure’s main sponsor.
S. 717 (Identification Security Enhancement Act of 2007) - would repeal the REAL ID Act's provisions implementing secure driver’s license/personal identification card standards; would prohibit a Federal agency from accepting a driver’s license or identification card newly issued by a state more than two years after minimum standards are promulgated (pursuant to a negotiated rulemaking process involving specified stakeholders), unless the license or card conforms to those standards; would require states to be in full compliance (i.e., each state would be required to certify compliance with DHS) with those minimum standards within five years of the standards being issued, unless DHS determines that a later deadline for compliance is more feasible; and would require DHS to award grants to states to assist them in conforming with minimum standards for driver’s licenses and identification cards as established pursuant to this bill. Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) is the measure’s main sponsor.
S. 1216 (Laser Visa Extension Act of 2007) - would allow Mexican nationals to travel up to 100 miles (currently, only 25 miles) from the New Mexico-Mexico border if they: (1) possess valid machine-readable biometric Border Crossing Cards (BCCs [also known as “laser visas”]); (2) enter New Mexico through a machine reader-equipped port of entry; (3) successfully complete all necessary background checks (a rarity in today’s lax enforcement environment); and (4) are admitted into the United States under “temporary” tourist/business nonimmigrant visas; and would authorize DHS to limit such an individual’s travel to less than 100 miles from the Mexico-New Mexico border upon a determination that the individual: (1) was previously admitted as a nonimmigrant; and (2) violated that nonimmigrant status. Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) is the measure’s main sponsor.
H.R. 305 - would prohibit DHS from paroling into the United States an alien solely because he/she: (1) fell ill while seeking admission, or waiting to seek admission; or (2) approaches a DHS agent or official at or near the border in order to seek emergency medical assistance. Rep. Steve Pearce (R-N.M.) is the measure’s main sponsor.
No Cosponsors
H.R. 939 - would authorize DHS to request that the Defense Department (DOD) assign regular or reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines to assist Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement in certain border protection functions, including preventing the entry of illegal aliens into the country; would require DHS and DOD to establish a training program to ensure that members of the military receive general instruction regarding law enforcement in border areas and would prohibit Armed Forces personnel from being deployed at a border location until they have successfully completed the training program; would require a civilian law enforcement officer to accompany a member of the military at all times during such assignments; would clarify that these provisions would not: (1) authorize Armed Forces personnel to conduct a search, seizure, or other similar law enforcement activity or to make an arrest; or (2) alter the prohibition on the use of any part of the Army or Air Force as a “posse comitatus”; would authorize DHS to establish ongoing joint task forces if their establishment is necessary to respond to a threat to national security posed by, among other things, entry into the United States of illegal aliens; would require DHS to notify the governor of the state in which Armed Forces personnel will be deployed pursuant to this bill – as well as nearby local governments – and to include in that notification a description of the types of tasks the Armed Forces personnel will be performing; and requires DHS to reimburse DOD for the support the latter provides, with certain exceptions. Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Va.) is the measure’s main sponsor.
H.R. 1811 (Maritime Law Enforcement Improvement Act of 2007) - would create a new criminal offense for transporting or facilitating the transportation, harboring, or concealment of an alien (or attempting or conspiring to transport, harbor, or conceal) on board a “covered vessel” (i.e., a U.S. vessel [or vessel subject to U.S. jurisdiction] that is less than 300 gross tons) knowing or having reason to believe that the alien is attempting to unlawfully enter the United States; would subject offenders to between three and 20 years of imprisonment and up to a $100,000 fine, with greater penalties possible in cases of serious bodily injury to, or death of, any person related to the commission of the offense; and would establish the following affirmative defenses: (1) the alien was on board pursuant to a rescue at sea, or was a stowaway or the entry into the United States was a necessary response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to the alien; (2) the defendant, as soon as reasonably practicable, informed the Coast Guard of the alien’s presence on the vessel and the circumstances of the rescue; and (3) the defendant complied with all orders given by U.S. law enforcement officials. Rep. Steven LaTourette (R-Ohio) is the measure’s main sponsor.
H.R. 1342 (Secure Entry Act) - would suspend the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) (which now allows citizens of 27 countries to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without a visa, and, because there is little scrutiny of VWP “travelers,” has provided easy entry for terrorists and created a black market for stolen or forged passports from such countries) until DHS certifies to Congress that: (1) the US-VISIT entry-exit system is fully implemented; (2) all U.S. ports of entry are equipped with functional biometric machine readers; and (3) all nonimmigrants are processed through US-VISIT. Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) is the measure’s main sponsor.
H.R. 2399 (Alien Smuggling and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007) - would require DHS to check against all available terrorist watch lists those alien smugglers and smuggled individuals who are stopped at U.S. land, air, and sea borders; would make alien smuggling a felony (currently, a misdemeanor) and would establish mandatory minimum sentences for alien smuggling convictions, with terms of imprisonment lengthening if a smuggler exposes individuals to high risk of injury or death (e.g., kidnapping, raping, or concealing the aliens smuggled); would limit a defense of necessity in the case of knowingly bringing an illegal alien into the United States that occurs on the high seas; and would increase criminal penalties (i.e., prison time) for specified maritime violations, including alien smuggling, but would limit a defense of necessity in such instances. Rep. Baron Hill (D-Ind.) is the measure’s main sponsor.
H.R. 2490 - would require DHS to conduct a pilot program to determine the feasibility of a full-scale program for mobile biometric identification of aliens unlawfully trying to enter the United States by sea. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) is the measure’s main sponsor.
H.R. 2542 (Border Law Enforcement Enhancement Act) - would establish a DHS grant program ($150 million annual appropriation authorized), beginning with fiscal 2008) to aid local law enforcement agencies serving communities within 25 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border in: (1) conducting law enforcement operations in order to enforce criminal laws, prevent and punish criminal activity, and protect the lives, property, and security of the people within the jurisdiction; (2) transferring detained illegal aliens to appropriate Federal law enforcement officials; and (3) enforcing state and Federal laws relating to controlled substance trafficking and enforce other state and Federal criminal laws; and would allow grant funds to be used for: (1) hiring, equipping, training, and otherwise controlling the operations and deployment of, law enforcement officials engaged in the aforementioned activities; (2) detaining, housing, and transporting illegal aliens until they are transferred to appropriate Federal law enforcement officials; and (3) construction, maintenance, and operation of detention facilities to detain illegal aliens, but would prohibit more than 20 percent of funds from being used for the construction or renovation of detention or similar facilities. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D-Texas) is the measure’s main sponsor.
H.R. 2954 (Secure Borders FIRST [For Integrity, Reform, Safety, and anti-Terrorism] Act of 2007) - would require DHS, among other things, to: (1) achieve operational control over U.S. borders by December 31, 2013; (2) ensure, no later than December 31, 2008, that the Border Patrol has at least 18,000 agents, as well as sufficient support staff; (3) hire an additional 2,000 Border Patrol agents per year in fiscal years 2009 and 2010; (4) increase, between fiscal years 2008 and 2011, the number of Customs and Border Protection officers at ports of entry (POEs) by 1,000; (5) fully implement the exit component of the US-VISIT biometric exit and entry system for air, sea, and land POEs by December 31, 2008; (6) detain aliens attempting to unlawfully enter the United States and who are apprehended at a POE or along an international border until removal or a final decision regarding admission is made (with exceptions for aliens who depart immediately after withdrawing an application for admission; who are paroled into the United States for "urgent humanitarian reasons" or for "significant public benefit"; or who are Cuban nationals); and (7) apply expedited removal procedures to illegal aliens apprehended within 100 miles of a land border and within 14 days of entry.
Would establish mandatory minimum prison sentences for aliens who: (1) enter the United States illegally three or more times; and (2) enter the United States following prior removal or denial of admission; and would require the State Department to deny admission to nationals of countries who deny or delay repatriation of their nationals who have been ordered removed from the United States.
H.R. 3064 (Emergency Immigration Workload Reduction and Homeland Security Enhancement Act of 2007) - would suspend the Visa Waiver Program (with waivers available from DHS [with State Department concurrence] on a case-by-case basis, provided an alien is not inadmissible or deportable) until one week after DHS certifies to Congress that specified enforcement and administrative conditions are satisfied, including (among others): (1) full implementation of US-VISIT; (2) DHS has the operational capability to take into custody and remove any alien brought to its attention by a state or local law enforcement agency; (3) random audits of backlogged applications for changes in immigration status are fully implemented and these audits indicate that the incidence of fraud or falsification is no more than three percent of all approved applications; (4) the statutorily-mandated foreign student monitoring system is is fully operational and no educational institutions register or admit illegal aliens; and (5) the number of removals, during each of the four months preceding certification, was at least 25 percent higher than in comparable months of the previous year.
Would require DHS to establish and maintain a list of every alien subject to a final order of removal and with respect to whom DHS or any Federal court has determined that there is no significant likelihood of removal in the reasonably foreseeable future due to the refusal, or unreasonable delay, of all countries designated by the alien to receive him; would require DHS to notify the State Department when 24 or more citizens from a country appear on that list and would require consular officers in the foreign country to discontinue the issuance of nonimmigrant visas to that country's citizens, with case-by-case waivers available; and would authorize DHS, with regard to the waiving of repatriation and subsequent visa issuance restrictions, to delegate waiver authority to the State Department.
H.R. 3638 (Border Security and Elimination of Sanctuary for Illegal Aliens Act of 2007) - would require DHS to: (1) increase incentives to recruit Border Patrol agents by offering individuals repayment of higher education loans, and develop incentives to retain experienced agents through the establishment of a retention program; and (2) make a priority of, and report on progress in, completing statutorily-mandated border fencing (i.e., in or near San Diego per the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996); and would authorize DHS to deploy newly-developed and cutting-edge technologies to secure U.S. borders. Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) is the measure's main sponsor.
No Cosponsors
H.R. 3851 (Non-Citizen Enforcement Act of 2007) - would require DHS to recruit at least 2,000 full-time Border Patrol agents per year after fiscal year 2010 until DHS certifies to Congress that "effective control of the border" has been achieved. Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) is the measure's main sponsor.
H.R. 3916 - would authorize research to develop new border control technology including: detention, tracking, and identification capabilities; personal protective equipment; counterfeit detection; advanced screening at ports of entry; tunnel detection, and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles. Rep. Ralph Hall (R-Texas) is the bill’s main sponsor.
H.R.4065 -would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to gain “operational control” over the international borders of the United States. Among many provisions, this legislation would: enhance identification capabilities, link biometric data programs, authorize an additional 250 Customs and Border Patrol agents at our ports of entry, set deadlines for completion of the US-VISIT program, increase smuggling penalties, set mandatory minimum sentences for illegal reentry, increase penalties against armed smugglers, allow for self-deportation, help strengthen prosecution against passport and immigration fraud, expedite alien removal, and increase detention and bed space. Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) is the bill’s main sponsor.
H.R. 4088, the SAVE (Secure America through Verification and Enforcement) Act - would address the flow of illegal aliens to the United States by investing in new technology and additional manpower. Provisions specifically relating to border control include: (1) increasing the number of full-time border patrol agents by 8,000 through 2012, including an immediate 2,500 agents for FY2008 and 2,000 for FY2009. At least 350 hires each year would be specifically assigned to investigate the smuggling of illegal aliens; (2) more funding available for the Tunnel Task Force [an investigative team assigned with tracking, identifying, and closing border tunnels used for smuggling drugs, human traffic, and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)]; (3) a student loan repayment program and other incentives to help recruit former members of the Armed Services, National Guard, and other Reserve Components; (4) new and updated border security, surveillance, communication, and apprehension technology; (5) an equipment sharing initiative between the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense, with progress reports made available to Members of Congress; (6) an official national strategy to secure all U.S. borders and ports of entry. Specifically, the Secretary of Homeland Security is required to improve border security infrastructure including: new office facilities, SUVs, better roads along the border, additional fencing, vehicle barriers, better alien detention facilities, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), drones, cameras, poles, sensors, satellites, radar, and other technologies; (7) and, empowering governors in border states to declare a border emergency and request temporary redeployment of up to 1000 additional Border Patrol Agents. Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) is the measure’s main sponsor.
H.R. 4192 (Overdue Immigration Reform Act of 2007) – would promote coordination between the Department of Defense and the Border Patrol, allow the Secretary of Defense to assign members of the Armed Services to assist the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, require a border security training program for members of the Armed Services assigned to the border, suspend the Visa Waiver program, and would require completion of the Secure Fence Act. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.) is the bill’s main sponsor.
No Cosponsors
H.R.4987 (Fence by Date Certain Act) - reinstates certain language in the Secure Fence Act stripped out by the FY2008 Omnibus spending package including border fence location and completion deadlines. Requires the border fence to be completed and fully funded by June 30, 2009. Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) is the bill’s main sponsor.
H.R.5552 (Border Security Accountability Act of 2008) - would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to make a progress report to Congress about border security. Specifically, the report should include: presidential directives and programs; goals and objectives; projected timelines; current expenditures; apprehension, detention, and deportation rates; assessment of terrorist activity; assessment of staffing needs; and a progress report on agent training. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) is the bill’s main sponsor.
H.R.5562 - would provide financial assistance to states that assign National Guard troops to the border under Operation Jump Start. Specifically, this legislation would require at least 6,000 National Guard troops to assist border operations including: construction of roads, fences, and vehicle barriers; search and rescue operations; intelligence gathering; camera installation; equipment maintenance; and aviation support. Furthermore, this legislation would clarify that the National Guard has full law enforcement authority when not in federal service. This is a companion bill to S.2716. Rep. Heather Wilson (R-N.M.) is the bill’s main House sponsor.
H.R. 5728 (Border Fence Trust Fund Act) - would allow taxpaying citizens to assign a portion of their federal income taxes ($5 for individual or $10 for individual and spouse) to a Border Improvement Trust Fund, a protected source of funding established under this legislation to improve physical barriers on the United States border. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) is the bill’s main sponsor.
H.R.5752 - would strengthen the security of U.S. passports by requiring electronic components to be manufactured and assembled in the United States and under the supervision of the United States government. Rep. Bill Sali (R-ID) is the bill's main sponsor.
H.R.6789 (Loophole Elimination and Verification Enforcement [LEAVE] Act) - contains multiple provisions designed to secure our border and combat unlawful entry including additional Border Patrol agents, completion of the border fence, and additional penalties. More specifically, the LEAVE Act would:
· Prohibit dealings that assist or encourage an illegal alien to cross the border or remain in the United States.
· Increase alien smuggling penalties including 3 and 30 year prison sentences, depending on the type of offense.
· Mandate new fines and penalties for passport fraud.
· Reinstate the Secure Fence Act by requiring two-layered fencing along the Southwest Border by July 31, 2009. This amends provisions of the FY 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill that has hindered construction of the border fence.
· Add an additional 8,000 Border Patrol agents by 2012.
· List all immigration violators in the (NCIC) National Crime Information Center Database.
Click Here: for a listing of other major provisions in the LEAVE Act.
Rep. Gary Miller (R-Calif.)is the bill’s main sponsor.
Cosponsors
H.Con.Res. 40 - would express the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should not engage in the construction of a NAFTA Superhighway System; (2) the United States should not allow the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) to implement additional regulations to create a North American Union with Canada and Mexico; and (3) the President should strongly oppose these or any other proposals that threaten U.S. sovereignty. (The SPP – entered into by the heads of state of the
U.S.
,
Canada
, and
Mexico
in 2005 – seeks to “streamline” movement across our borders and, as such, would eliminate the notion of “illegal immigration” and, consequently, would increase the inflow at our borders.) Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Va.) is the measure’s main sponsor.
H.Con.Res. 83 - would provide a sense of Congress that: (1) enhanced border security and enforcement measures should be passed quickly to ease the burden on state and local governments; (2) state and local agencies should be supported for actively discouraging illegal immigration; and (3) current immigration law should be enforced to the highest extent of the law. Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas) is the measure’s main sponsor.
H.Con.Res. 119 - would express the sense of Congress that: (1) the President and DHS should immediately use all available tools to secure the borders; and (2) the President and the State Department should warn Mexico that if that nation encourages illegal immigration any further, it will be viewed as interference with U.S. domestic laws. Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Va.) is the measure’s main sponsor.
H.Con.Res. 218 - would provide a sense of Congress that: (1) Congress should ensure that current immigration and border security laws are enforced; (2) DHS should ensure expedited construction of the border fence and should use existing authority provided in the REAL ID Act to waive legal requirements needed for construction of that fencing; (3) DHS' report on progress made toward achieving operational control of the border should include recommendations enhancing U.S. national security on the northern border and emphasize the Bush administration's commitment to protecting both the southern and northern borders; and (4) Congress should fully fund the hiring of 18,000 new Border Patrol agents as mandated by Federal law. Rep. Gresham Barrett (R-S.C.) is the measure's main sponsor.
H.Res. 440 - would provide a sense of the House that, to deter further illegal immigration and strengthen the U.S. economy, increased resources for Federal and state resources to strengthen border enforcement efforts must be part of any immigration reform bill considered by this Congress. Rep. Paul Gillmor (R-Ohio) is the measure’s main sponsor.
No Cosponsors
H.Res. 499 - would provide a sense of the House that the Bush administration should implement statutorily-mandated immigration and border controls and enforce existing Federal immigration law, including, notably: (1) implementation of the entry and exit portions of US-VISIT; (2) enforcement of existing provisions requiring the sanctioning of employers who do not comply with "unlawful employment" laws; (3) compliance with the Secure Fence Act of 2006 through completion of the fencing called for along the U.S.-Mexico border; and (4) increasing the use of expedited removal procedures for all illegal aliens eligible for such removal under Federal law; and also would provide a sense of the House that taking these steps would: (1) result in a considerable decrease in illegal immigration into the United States; and (2) vastly improve U.S. border security. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) is the measure's main sponsor.
S. 575 (Border Infrastructure and Technology Modernization Act of 2007) – would increase, between fiscal years 2008 and 2012, the numbers of: (1) full-time agents Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and associated support staff by 500; and (2) full-time Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspectors and associated support staff by 1,000; would require DHS to provide appropriate and ongoing training to this new personnel to utilize new technologies and ensure that proficiency with those technologies are acceptable to protect U.S. borders; would require DHS to: (1) prepare and annually update a National Land Border Security Plan; and (2) carry out port of entry and Border Patrol technology demonstration programs; and would require CBP to: (1) expand trade security programs; and (2) establish demonstration programs: (a) along the southern border for the purpose of implementing at least one Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program along that border; and (b) to develop a cooperative trade security system with maquiladoras (i.e, entities located in Mexico that assemble and produce goods from imported parts for export to the United States) to improve supply chain security. Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) is the measure’s main sponsor.
S. 1269 (Engaging the Nation to Fight for Our Right to Control Entry [ENFORCE] Act) - would establish, within Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the National Border Neighborhood Watch (NBNW), which would authorize retired law enforcement officers to assist Border Patrol agents by reporting illegal border crossings, and would allow civilian volunteers to participate in the NBNW, provided CBP-defined criteria are met; would provide for fencing and security improvements along the southern U.S. border from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, including creation and control of a specified border zone; and would require a study and report on the use of technology at the borders and in the interior to prevent unlawful immigration. Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) is the measure’s main sponsor.
No Cosponsors
S.1984 (Immigration Enforcement and Border Security Act) - Among many provisions, this legislation would authorize an additional: 500 Customs and Border Patrol officers a year with 200 agents assigned to assist security at 20 international airports, 50 U.S. Marshals to specifically assist immigration matters, and 2,400 border patrol agents a year to patrol the Northern and Southern borders. In addition, this legislation would provide clear and secure border enforcement communications; enhance identification capabilities; link biometric data programs; list immigration violators in the National Crime Information Center Database; require operation of the US-VISIT program at our ports of entry; require deadlines to complete a “reinforced” border fence including 300 miles of vehicle barriers, 700 miles of fence, 105 ground radar and camera towers, and 4 unmanned aerial vehicles; encourage cooperation between the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security; construct additional ports of entry; increase penalties for misconduct at ports of entry; expedite alien removal; seek advice and cooperation from border state governors; provide grants to assist law enforcement agencies within 100 miles of the border; and reimburse landowners for damage to property caused by illegal aliens. Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) is the bill’s main sponsor.
S.2348 (Emergency Border Security funding Act of 2007) - would appropriate $3,000,000,000 to ensure operational control over the U.S./Mexico border including 23,000 border patrol agents, 300 miles of vehicle barriers, 700 miles of double layered fencing, 105 ground-based radar and camera towers, 4 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and a catch a return policy to detain and remove illegal aliens. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) is the bill's main sponsor. . . . . . . . ... ... .. .
S. 2474 (Emergency Port of Entry Personnel and Infrastructure Funding Act of 2007) -would provide additional resources and funding to address inspection delays at ports of entry on the Southern border including additional inspection lanes and more customs inspectors. In addition, this legislation would provide recruitment and retention incentives for United States Customs and Border Protection officers. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) is the bill’s main sponsor.
No Cosponsors
S.2709 (Border Crossing Deterrence Act of 2008) - would expand and fund Operation Streamline (the zero-tolerance alien prosecution policy) at $500 million a year for FY2009 to FY2018. In addition, this legislation would establish a series of mandatory minimum sentences for illegal entry, illegal reentry, criminal reentry, and for the destruction of border barriers and infrastructure. Illegal entry sentences would include 10 to 364 days for the first violation, 60 days to 2 years for a second violation, and 90 days to 3 years for a third violation. Illegal reentry would be sentenced 90 days to 2 years. Criminal reentry would be sentenced 1 to 10 years for a prior felony (or 3 or more prior misdemeanors), 2 to 15 years for a prior 30 month felony, 4 to 20 years for a prior 60 month felony, 4 to 20 years for two or more prior felonies, and 5 to 20 years for those convicted of murder, rape, kidnapping, or slavery. The mandatory sentence for destroying border barriers and infrastructure would be at least 5 years. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) is the bill’s main sponsor.
S.2712 (Complete the Fence Act) - would require completion of at least 700 miles of reinforced border fencing by December 31, 2010 and specifies that vehicle barriers and virtual fencing cannot towards the “reinforced” fencing requirement. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) is the bill’s main sponsor.
S.2716 - would provide financial assistance to states that assign National Guard troops to the border under Operation Jump Start. Specifically, this legislation would require at least 6,000 National Guard troops to assist border operations including: construction of roads, fences, and vehicle barriers; search and rescue operations; intelligence gathering; camera installation; equipment maintenance; and aviation support. Furthermore, this legislation would clarify that the National Guard has full law enforcement authority when not in federal service. Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) is the bill’s main sponsor.
S.3235 - would require the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security to estimate the number of illegal border crossings from Mexico and subsequently reduce financial assistance to Mexico in an amount of $1,000 for every illegal border crossing during the previous fiscal year. Sen. David Vitter (R-La) is the bill’s main sponsor. . .... .
No Cosponsors
S.3250 (Putting the Brakes on Human Smuggling Act) - would revoke and exclude a commercial motor vehicle license to an individual found guilty of either smuggling of a controlled substance or a second offense of trafficking an illegal alien. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) is the bill’s main sponsor. . . ............................................. .
No Cosponsors
S.Res. 239 - would provide a sense of the Senate that the Bush administration should implement statutorily-mandated immigration and border controls and enforce existing Federal immigration law, including, notably: (1) implementation of the entry and exit portions of US-VISIT; (2) enforcement of existing provisions requiring the sanctioning of employers who do not comply with "unlawful employment" laws; (3) compliance with the Secure Fence Act of 2006 through completion of the fencing called for along the U.S.-Mexico border; (4) increasing the use of expedited removal procedures for all illegal aliens eligible for such removal under Federal law; and (5) expansion of the Immigration Violators File in the NCIC database to include information regarding absconders and other illegal aliens; and also would provide a sense of the House that taking these steps would: (1) result in a considerable decrease in illegal immigration into the United States; and (2) vastly improve U.S. border security. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) is the measure's main sponsor.
for summary of bill. 