Congressman Davis Supports Tough New Immigration Bill

Press Release

CONGRESSMAN DAVIS SUPPORTS TOUGH NEW IMMIGRATION BILL

SAVE Act seeks to tighten border security, enforce higher standards for employment verification

U.S. Representative Artur Davis joined a bipartisan coalition of more than 90 members of the House of Representatives this week calling on tougher border security and higher employment verification standards in the fight against illegal immigration.

Congressman Davis offered the following statement in support of this legislation:

"It is crystal clear that most Americans want to see stronger protections on our border and that they want tougher actions against employers who knowingly hire illegal, undocumented immigrants. The SAVE Act is an important first step toward these goals.

"I continue to believe that we need to overhaul the complicated array of immigration laws that penalize individuals who try to play by the rules and reward those willing to break them. I will continue to support an opportunity for undocumented immigrant families who have lived and worked in the U.S. for a sustained period of time to have a chance to eventually earn legal status. But I am convinced that it is impossible to build the political support for these changes without demonstrating our seriousness as a nation about security and enforcement.

"Finally, building support for changing our immigration laws requires putting common sense first. I strongly disagree with Senator Clinton, Governor Spitzer, and others who believe that issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants is a good idea. It is not-- for the simple reason that as a practical matter, a license not only permits an individual to drive, but it confers access to many other aspects of American life. A license itself gives the holder the equivalent of a legalized status."

The SAVE Act, H.R. 4088, addresses border security by increasing manpower and making needed technological and infrastructure improvements on America's northern and southern borders, including 8,000 new Border Patrol Agents and provides the infrastructure they need to be effective.

It expands the E-Verify program to provide all employers with the tools they need to ensure that their employees are here legally. The E-Verify program is a simple, effective, and free program that allows employers to efficiently and quickly ensure that the people they hire are legally allowed to work in the U.S. The program will be phased-in over four years, beginning with the federal government, federal contractors, and employers with over 250 employees. Smaller businesses would begin using the system in a graduated manner.

The SAVE Act also provides the tools, resources and infrastructure necessary to enforce existing federal laws and penalize offenders. It increases the investigative abilities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement with more agents and more training. Additionally, it provides assistance for state and local law enforcement.

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