Grassley: What They Forgot to Say About the Trigger

Press Release

GRASSLEY: WHAT THEY FORGOT TO SAY ABOUT THE TRIGGER

Senator Chuck Grassley today revealed several items proponents of the immigration reform bill neglected to say about the "trigger" that will allow more than 12 million illegal aliens to gain greencards if they choose.

"This so-called trigger is false and misleading," Grassley said. "It's too bad the benchmarks to pull the trigger won't solve any problems, especially when much of the necessary border enhancements aren't even included."

Proponents of the immigration reform bill claim that several border enforcement measures will be taken before illegal aliens are given amnesty. But, Grassley said today that the trigger makes first steps, but in the end it fails to ensure agents are actually at the border and the employment verification system is actually being used by businesses in a timely manner. He also pointed out that the trigger leaves out many of the most important border and interior enforcement enhancements.

For instance, one trigger is the end of "catch and release." This program was ended by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on August 23, 2006. Another trigger is the hiring of 4,000 additional border patrol agents, but the agents don't have to be trained or stationed at the border. Yet another trigger that must be met before allowing illegal aliens to apply for greencards is the establishment of an Electronic Employment Verification System. But, employers don't have to use the system until up to three years after the date of enactment.

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