Government to Step Up Immigration Law Enforcement

[WifeOHunkyJohn 2]

Government to Step Up Immigration Law Enforcement

Friday, August 10, 2007

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration is planning new efforts to curb illegal immigration by raising fines and speeding up deployment of border agents after failing to push through legislation earlier this year.

The proposals would raise civil fines on employers who hire undocumented immigrants by as much as 25 percent and overhaul temporary worker programs, according to a summary of the plans obtained by The Associated Press.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez planned to announce the changes in a news conference Friday.

A DHS spokesman on Thursday declined to comment because the announcement had not been made. The Commerce Department also declined comment.

The administration also wants to expand the list of international gangs whose members are automatically denied admission to the U.S., reduce processing times for immigrant background checks, and install by the end of the year an exit system so the departure of foreigners from the country can be recorded at airports and seaports.

In addition, employers will face possible criminal sanctions if they don't fire employees unable to clear up problems with their Social Security numbers.

The Homeland Security Department will ask states to voluntarily share their driver's license photos and records with the agency for use in an employment verification system. The sharing is meant to help employers detect fraudulent licenses, according to the summary, which was provided by a congressional aide.

Some of the initiatives are similar to proposals contained in the recent immigration measure which failed to pass in the Senate, though they are not nearly as sweeping.

The legislation was opposed by many conservatives who complained that people don't trust their government to start new immigration programs since existing immigration laws are not enforced.

The Senate bill would have allowed millions of illegal immigrants to obtain legal status and eventually apply for legal residency. It also would have created a guest worker program and stepped up border security.

Some lawmakers have kept up efforts to tighten the border. Last month, the Senate added $3 billion to a homeland security bill and devoted the money to U.S.-Mexico border security.

Chertoff alluded to the new enforcement tactics in a speech this week in Boston, calling it "tool sharpening."

"We shouldn't have a patchwork of laws. We should be doing a comprehensive federal solution, but we haven't got that thing done," Chertoff said. "What I can tell you is we will certainly use every enforcement tool that we have, and every resource that we have available, to tackle the problem."

[WifeOHunkyJohn 2]

President Bush Addresses Border Security and Immigration Challenges

Fact Sheet: Improving Border Security and Immigration Within Existing Law

Today, members of my Cabinet announced a series of important new Administrative actions to address border security and immigration challenges. These reforms represent steps my Administration can take within the boundaries of existing law to better secure our borders, improve worksite enforcement, streamline existing temporary worker programs, and help new immigrants assimilate into American society.

Although the Congress has not addressed our broken immigration system by passing comprehensive reform legislation, my Administration will continue to take every possible step to build upon the progress already made in strengthening our borders, enforcing our worksite laws, keeping our economy well-supplied with vital workers, and helping new Americans learn English.

I appreciate the work of Secretary Chertoff and Secretary Gutierrez in implementing these important reforms, which will improve our security and enrich our Nation.

Edited August 10, 2007 by WifeOHunkyJohn

[peejay 327]

I would like to believe these guys, but their track record speaks for itself. Talk is cheap. All we have is talk and grand promises so far.

It's gonna take a lot of work to undo the harm these guys have done up to this point. Their malfeasance is too extensive chronicle in a post.

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

I would like to believe these guys, but their track record speaks for itself. Talk is cheap. All we have is talk and grand promises so far.

It's gonna take a lot of work to undo the harm these guys have done up to this point. Their malfeasance is too extensive chronicle in a post.

you won't miss the well publicized "busts" at some plant here and there.

Daniel

:energetic:

[peejay 327]

I would like to believe these guys, but their track record speaks for itself. Talk is cheap. All we have is talk and grand promises so far.

It's gonna take a lot of work to undo the harm these guys have done up to this point. Their malfeasance is too extensive to chronicle in a post.

you won't miss the well publicized "busts" at some plant here and there.

Daniel

:energetic:

The problem is that it's just spit in the ocean. Lots of show, but very little effect.

It took 20 years of malfeasance, neglect, and institutional corruption to get to this sorry state of affairs. One big talking press conference is hardly reason to celebrate. Especially from an administration that contributed a lion's share of the malfeasance, neglect, and institutional corruption.