Illegal Immigration
The issue of Illegal Immigration is important to our district and to my work in Congress.
Illegal immigration is a serious problem in the United States, especially as the number of illegal aliens grows each year. Ours is a nation of laws, and viewing immigration through that prism, my first priority is to secure our country's borders and prevent illegal entry into the U. S. I support several initiatives that will help decrease the flood of illegal immigration.
First, I will fight to improve border security through such measures as the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), increasing the number of border patrol personnel, constructing permanent walls, and the use of technology to more effectively and efficiently detect illegal crossings. Second, I believe that the Congress should enact legislation that increases the penalties for assisting or hiring illegal aliens. Finally, local law enforcement should be encouraged to report suspected illegal immigrants to the appropriate federal authorities for immediate deportation and local governments that refuse to follow federal immigration laws should forfeit any federal funding for services or projects.
Be assured, I am working to stem the flow of illegal immigration and will not support an amnesty of illegal aliens currently in the United States. Any amnesty would only reward criminal behavior and would encourage additional illegal immigration in the future.
Legislative Action:
Cosponsored H.R. 2885, the Legal Workforce Act
- This legislation is an E-Verify bill that requires all employers to use the employment verification system. It features a three-year phase-in with 99% of employers required to use the system within two years. It also requires all federal, state, and local agencies to run existing employees through E-Verify, and lifts the federal ban on private employers from running current employees through E-Verify.
Cosponsored H.R. 800, the Jobs Recovery by Ensuring a Legal American Workforce Act of 2011 (E-LAW Act).
- Some of the largest contributors to illegal immigration are businesses that hire illegal workers. E-Verify is currently a voluntary, online, electronically operated system that allows employers to quickly check the work authorization status of their new hires. This bill would permanently reauthorize E-Verify, mandate its use by all employers in the U.S., and penalize employers who hire illegal aliens.
Cosponsored H.R. 2000, Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement Act of 2011.
- This legislation encompasses a three point plan to stop illegal immigration by confronting the problem head on. It begins by securing America’s international boarders through increasing the compliment of Border Patrol agents and utilizes new technology to secure American and expand anti-smuggling enforcements. Next, it ends unlawful employment of illegal immigrants expanding the E-Verify program and makes it mandatory for all employers. Finally, it enhances and utilizes current interior enforcement methods by increasing investigative abilities of the Immigration Customs Enforcement department by employing more agents and expediting the processing and removal of illegal aliens.
Cosponsored HR 2497, the Hinder the Administration's Legalization Temptation Act of 2011 (HALT Act).
- President Obama issued an Executive Order in the summer of 2011 adopting new standards for deportation cases, allowing non-criminal illegal immigrants to stay in the country and apply for work permits. This is a blanket form of amnesty - something Congressman Guinta will never support. In response, he joined with other members of Congress in sending a letter to the President opposing this action. He is also a co-sponsor of HR 2497, the HALT Act . It would prevent administrative officials from granting work authorization on a discretionary basis, granting parole or issuing deferred action, except under narrow circumstances. It would also prevent the President from canceling orders of deportation entirely and from waiving the three and 10-year barriers to entry for men and women who have been caught illegally here in the United States.
- You can read my editorial on the HALT Act by clicking here.