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Exciting week for immigration reform |
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July 3, 2017 |
By U.S. Representative Raul Labrador
This was a very significant and exciting week in
the fight for immigration reform. I was named
chairman of the House subcommittee with
jurisdiction over immigration and border
security issues; the House Judiciary Committee
approved my bill to reform America’s refugee
program; and I voted for, and the House passed
two immigration enforcement bills.
As you know, immigration reform is an issue
close to my heart and one I’ve worked on for a
long time. That’s why I am honored to be the new
Chairman of the House Immigration and Border
Security Subcommittee. I was tapped for the
position on Tuesday, and I will have the
responsibility for the rest of the 115th
Congress. As chairman, I will prioritize
legislation that enforces our laws, secures our
borders, and modernizes our immigration system
for the twenty-first century. That’s what the
people of Idaho want, and that’s what they
deserve. I will do everything I can to deliver.
The very next day, the House Judiciary Committee
approved my bill to reform America’s refugee
program: The Refugee Program Integrity
Restoration Act.
As Americans, we have a long tradition of
helping refugees who, through no fault of their
own, are fleeing war and persecution and wish to
become contributing members of our society.
However, our first priority when it comes to
America’s refugee program is ensuring the safety
and security of the American people.
There are already documented cases of terrorists
infiltrating the program, and with ISIS vowing
to exploit it further, the time for
congressional action is now.
My bill modernizes America’s refugee program to
keep pace with today’s security challenges. It
enacts stronger vetting of refugees, gives
states and communities the power to decline
resettlement, and lowers the annual refugee
ceiling and shifts to Congress the authority to
make changes in that figure. Overall, my bill
will protect the integrity of the refugee
program, reduce fraud, and improve national
security.
Then, on Thursday, I voted for – and the House
passed – two immigration enforcement bills:
Kate’s Law and The No Sanctuary for Criminals
Act. Kate’s Law increases penalties for deported
felons who return to the U.S., like the illegal
alien who killed Kate Steinle in San Francisco
two years ago.
The No Sanctuary for Criminals Act combats
dangerous sanctuary policies that shield illegal
aliens from federal immigration enforcement.
These bills include provisions from my
immigration enforcement bill, H.R. 2431, the
Davis-Oliver Act.
With Speaker Paul Ryan and Homeland Security
Secretary John Kelly, I spoke at a press
conference in support of these bills. I
emphasized that governments at all levels have a
basic responsibility to protect our citizens
from those who are here illegally - and
especially from those who commit crimes.
For too long, the federal government has looked
the other way while sanctuary cities violate the
law and undermine public safety. The bills I
voted for this week bring common sense to an
issue where common sense is desperately needed.
To watch me speaking at the press conference,
please click here.
This is just the beginning. I look forward to
having a House vote on the Davis-Oliver Act and
additional legislation that the House Judiciary
Committee is working on, including mandatory
E-Verify.
Fixing our broken immigration system starts,
first and foremost, with enforcing the law. By
completing that vital first step, we will be
positioned to modernize our immigration system
and bring it into the twenty-first century. |
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