Immigration
Supporting Comprehensive Immigration Reform and a Path to Earned Citizenship
Senator Reed has supported legislation to help reduce illegal immigration across our borders, deter employers from hiring those who come here illegally, and provide a path to legalization that helps long-time undocumented workers in this country without penalizing those who have come here legally.
However, the Bush Administration has failed to effectively enforce our current immigration laws, both in terms of securing the border and taking action against employers hiring undocumented workers. Over the past seven years, the number of those detained for unlawfully crossing the border declined by 25%, and its efforts to enforce the law against those who hire illegal workers have been inadequate.
Senator Reed believes we must control our borders and do a better job of monitoring the flow of persons in and out of the United States. He voted to invest an additional $3 billion to increase border security, but President Bush vetoed this measure. Congress instead passed a measure in 2007, which was signed into law, that included $2.7 billion for border security and requires the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Patrol Agency to hire and train an additional 3,000 full-time agents, construct 370 miles of fencing, and install 185 miles of vehicle barriers, as well as build new radar and camera towers to enhance our virtual border and communication security systems.
After taking steps to control our borders and forcing business to play by the rules, Senator Reed believes we need immigration reforms that would allow long-time undocumented workers in this country to become taxpayers without penalizing those who have come here legally. Senator Reed supported the Kennedy-McCain immigration reform proposal to overhaul America's immigration laws. This realistic and comprehensive approach would allow families who have been in the United States for years, who obey the law, and who work hard, to come out of the shadows and have a chance to get on the path to citizenship while securing our borders.
People wishing to become American citizens must play by the rules, pay fines, pass a background check, and learn to speak English. These rigorous provisions would be in addition to significant penalties and state impact assistance fees that would reimburse states for services provided and for further enforcement measures. Lastly, any applicant would have to wait until those with current citizenship applications were processed.
Reed is also the author of the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act, a bill to grant permanent residency to Liberians who have lived legally in the United States since 1991. These hard-working people left their nation years ago to escape danger and economic strife, creating new lives in this country, and often raising children who know no other home than the United States.
Senator Reed believes it is essential that Liberians who have been here legally and contributed to our community be given the chance to stay and eventually become citizens
Recent News:
Liberians Living in U.S. Still in Limbo; Reed Reintroduces Bill to Provide Permanent Status
Senate Passes Immigration Reform Bill
Floor Statement on Immigration Reform
Reed Amendment Would Exempt Older Immigrants from Work Requirement
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