Congressman Mica earns A+ from Americans For Better Immigration

Congressman Mica, what is your view on proposals to grant amnesty to illegal aliens?

     Let me first say that I strongly oppose any attempts to give legal status or grant blanket amnesty to those who have entered our country illegally. I believe that we must act now to strengthen immigration enforcement and secure our borders. The first step in gaining control of our borders is to begin tough enforcement of existing laws. Those who enter illegally must be removed immediately instead of spending taxpayer dollars to provide them with legal counsel and a distant court date.

     It is also vital in my opinion to end all of the benefits for illegal aliens and their dependants. We must stop welfare aid and health care benefits to illegals that are often better than the assistance provided to needy Americans and veterans. It is critical that we cut federal benefits for illegals that act as a magnet attracting them to our country. Please know that as the House and Senate go to conference on these issues I will continue to stand firm in my position that our nation must not become a haven for those who enter our country illegally and continue to break our laws.

     Finally, let me say that while I strongly oppose any benefits, amnesty, or legal status for those who have entered illegally I do support legal immigration that has made this such a great nation. All of my grandparents came to America legally, without government assistance, and worked hard for their citizenship to give their families opportunities and freedom in our great country. That legal process is what we must maintain.

Representative Mica, how do you feel about immigration policy?

     I have been greatly disturbed by the apparent ease with which many illegal immigrants have been able to cross our borders and remain within the United States undetected. It is now apparent the September 11^th terrorists used our borders like a swinging door.  Certainly, there is a significant danger here and we must respond by doing a better job of protecting our borders.

Have you done anything to address abuse of our immigration laws?

   The President signed the Fiscal Year 2005 Omnibus Appropriations bill into law on December 8, 2004. The bill contains major provisions of legislation I introduced in May 2003, H.R. 2154, to reform the law governing intracompany transferees under the L-1 visa program. Specifically, this measure will prohibit L-1 visa holders from primarily working at any site other than that of their petitioning employer. In addition, petitioners must now be employed for no less than one year outside the United States for an employer with a qualifying relationship to the petitioning employer before becoming eligible for an L-1 visa, as opposed to the six month requirement this provision replaces.

    This is a significant step toward eliminating the unfair practice of “outsourcing” intracompany transferees, which has sent thousands of hard-working Americans into the unemployment line.