Gallegly Blasts Senate Amnesty Bill

Press Release

Gallegly Blasts Senate Amnesty Bill

Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties) today blasted the illegal immigration amnesty bill unveiled in the Senate today.

"Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Jon Kyl—both of whom I have worked with successfully on other issues—said at a press conference today that the immigration bill they helped write is not perfect. They are right. It is seriously flawed. It is doing something for the sake of doing something and, in the process, would worsen the illegal immigration problem and reward lawbreakers.

"The last time we granted amnesty to illegal immigrants—and this is amnesty, pure and simple—millions more illegal immigrants poured over our borders in the hope of getting in on the next amnesty. If we grant this amnesty, we only encourage yet even more illegal immigration.

"The Senate bill grants immediate legitimacy to those who broke our laws with a new ‘Z Visa.' Then, in the next eight years—eight years—the head of household would have to return to his country of origin to apply for permanent residency for his entire family. Only one lawbreaker has to return to apply for permanent residency for a family of lawbreakers.

"Before these provisions go into effect, more Border Patrol agents would have to be hired and there would have to be a crackdown on employers who hire illegal immigrants. But there is no provision in the bill to suspend or eliminate the amnesty program if Border Patrol agents are laid off or workplace enforcement is scaled back after amnesty is granted.

"This is important, because the 1986 amnesty was sold on the promise of worksite and border enforcement. Yet administration after administration found excuses not to pursue it.

"America must not be sold a bill of goods. I urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to defeat this seriously flawed legislation."

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