Senate Set to Vote on Amendment to 'Increase' Illegal Immigration

News provided by

Feb 15, 2018, 01:21 ET

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following statement was issued by Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) regarding the legislative proposal being offered by Senators Schumer, Rounds, Collins, and King:

"What started out in the U.S. Senate as an effort to halt illegal immigration and address the unique situation of a few hundred thousand illegal aliens who entered the country as minors has now devolved into a plan to grant amnesty to millions of illegal aliens and actually increase illegal immigration into the United States.

"An amendment sponsored by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) would restrict immigration enforcement exclusively to violent criminals and terrorists. For all others, it essentially declares an immigration enforcement holiday at the border and the interior of the country through June 30, 2018. And even after June 30, it will be virtually impossible to remove anyone in this country illegally unless they commit some violent crime.

"From a starting point of 690,000 DACA beneficiaries who might be considered for amnesty, the Schumer-Rounds-Collins-King amendment would make some 5 million illegal aliens eligible for amnesty, including 'kids' up to the age of the 43.

"In return, the American people get a big, fat nothing. The amendment promises $25 billion, spread out over ten years, for construction of a border fence which some future president may decide to cancel. From a 'four-pillar' on immigration, Schumer-Rounds-Collins-King moves us to a one-pillar plan – a massive amnesty for 5 million illegal aliens and a de facto amnesty for anyone who can get here before June 30.

"This amendment is emblematic of the Senate's contempt for the American people and their interests. Not only doesn't this amendment prevent future illegal immigration, it is calculatingly designed to fuel more. The only positive thing to say about this amendment is that it has already received a veto threat from the White House.

"What we are facing is an amendment that will profoundly affect the future of this nation, cooked up behind closed doors, and rushed to the floor of the Senate so that members of the Senate can get an early start on yet another week of vacation. The American people deserve so much better than that."

Contact: Joe Gomez, [email protected]; 202-742-1843

ABOUT FAIR
Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group. With more than 1.3 million members and supporters nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced.

SOURCE FAIR