Vitter: Cornyn Amendment Weak on Enforcement, Won't Fix Illegal Immigration Problem

Statement

U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) today made the following statement about an amendment introduced by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) to the Gang of Eight immigration bill.

"The big threat is that Senator Cornyn's amendment could pass the bill but definitely won't fix it," Vitter said. "To be effective, his security 'triggers' must occur before any legalization takes place, not after. We must ensure that real enforcement is in place, working, verified BEFORE any adjustment of citizenship status happens. It's also important for Congress to be the judge of whether the border had been secured, not the Administration, which would certify that the borders are secure enough today."

Provisions in the Gang of Eight bill say that the Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano is required to submit two plans to Congress as to how she would secure the border. Cornyn's amendment would implement enforcement triggers but not before the legalization is implemented. Vitter intends to offer a second degree amendment to the Cornyn amendment to ensure that enforcement "triggers" are in place before any adjustment of status, and that Congress would be the judge of whether the border had been secured, not the Administration.

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