Lungren Introduces Immigration Legislation
Press Release
Lungren Introduces Immigration Legislation
Today, Congressman Dan Lungren (R-CA) has introduced the Border Security & Immigration Act of 2007. Acknowledging that Immigration negotiations by administration officials and the Senate have started the ball rolling, Congressman Lungren released the following statement addressing the short comings in the so-called Senate compromise:
"As one of the chief negotiators during the 1986 Simpson Mazzoli bill, I believe it is important that we do not repeat the same mistakes we did back then. My bill fine tunes several large holes in the Senate's latest try at a comprehensive immigration reform.
"The Border Security & Immigration Reform Act would establish an employment verification system to provide the means of enforcing sanctions against employers who hire illegal aliens. The proposal would authorize the funding for 6,000 additional border patrol officers and 1000 work place inspectors over the next two years.
"If you promise enforcement and you don't have enforcement, forget about it. If you promise enforcement, you better do it up front. If we are to be successful in doing what is the primary responsibility of any government-the protection of its borders- we can not underestimate the seriousness of this issue facing our country today.
"Concerning the Senate proposed Z Visa program, it is my belief that the response to the illegal immigrant population through the creation of a new Z visa does not contain elements sufficient to warrant the magnanimous treatment afforded those who are here illegally.
"In particular establishing an eligibility for a legalization for all those living within the U.S. before January 1, 2007 is simply too broad in its scope. It is my belief that if the American people are to accept such a program, there must be a demonstration that the beneficiaries of this proposal can demonstrate sufficient equities to justify their eligibility for legalization.
"Moreover, those who have broken our laws should not have a special path to citizenship. Accordingly, my proposal would create a new statusa "blue card" if you willthat would allow those who have been here for more than five years to apply for a program that would enable them to remain in the United States, to work here and to travel in and outside of the country.
"The applicant for the program would be required to demonstrate continuous residence in the United States since January 2002a period of 5 years. Those who have established roots in our communities are in my estimation in a far different situation than someone who has arrived here as recently as 4 months ago. I fear the "short timers" fail to demonstrate the kind of commitment and connection with our nation which justifies such magnanimous action.
"Let me be clear the one thing my proposal would not do is establish a new process for the illegal alien population to become permanent residents and eventually citizens. Neither would it establish derivative immigration rights which would enable those who qualify for the program to bring their family members into the country. Under my proposal, if a "blue card" holder seeks Legal Permanent Resident Status with derivative immigration rights, they must return to their country of origin and apply like anyone else who seeks such status.
"Turning to the issue of the temporary worker program, I believe the Senate's version should be "fine tuned." Unlike my colleagues in the Senate, my proposal would be limited to the agricultural sector. My bill would establish 10 regions throughout the country in which temporary agricultural workers could be brought into the country through a program administered by the Dept. of Agriculture.
"Temporary agricultural workers would be admitted for a maximum period of ten months. It is essential that we insure that those who work in a temporary worker program are in fact temporary. To further this objective the temporary agricultural worker proposal would require: FICA (both employer and employee contributions to S.S.) and FUTA (unemployment tax) to be withheld from the workers wages and deposited in a trust fund. The employer contribution to FICA and the FUTA tax will be used for the purpose of administering the program. The employee contribution to FICA will be returned to the employee upon return to his/her country of origin and will be collected at the nearest American Consulate. This may prove to be the most effective "carrot" to attract the temporary foreign worker back to his of her home."
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