Congresswoman Brown Supports Sections of Senate Immigration Agreement

Press Release

Congresswoman Brown Supports Sections of Senate Immigration Agreement

With respect to the immigration deal reached in the Senate, Congresswoman Corrine Brown made the following statement:

"I am glad to see that a deal was reached today in the Senate and that it seems as though the time has come for a much needed immigration overhaul. As a Member from Florida, a state with an extremely high immigrant population (it is estimated that one in five Floridians is foreign born), this is an issue with a particularly high level of importance. I am a cosponsor of the Flake-Gutierrez bill in the House, and firmly believe that action must be taken to straighten out the situation of the approximately 12 million people in our country that are generally extremely hard working and productive, yet undocumented.

In the bill on the House side, I am especially concerned about the people from Haiti, who have been treated unfairly when risking their lives in an attempt to reach our shores. I am very pleased to see that the Gutierrez bill includes provisions for refugees from Haiti, and incorporates Kendrick Meek's bill, H.R. 454. One aspect of the bill I am glad to see in there is the section which says that if a refugee from Haiti has a pending or approved application under the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998, they would not have to comply with the legal re-entry requirement (the "touch back provision") to apply for adjustment of status in the legalization program.

Insofar as the Senate agreement reached today is concerned, I support provisions of the bill that emphasize family ties, yet am concerned with somewhat harsh provisions that disallow or make it difficult for foreign born siblings and adult children of U.S. citizens to enter the country or obtain legal status. I also harbor serious concerns about the "touch back" provisions, as well as the $5000 fine that would be leveled against immigrants seeking to adjust status. To many of these people, who often work long, hard hours in very low wage jobs either in agriculture or in the service sector industry, this fee is exorbitant. I also want to make sure that the temporary work program allows workers a path to legalization, because, I believe, if they are without this option, this situation may have an extremely adverse affect on domestic wages.

I am pleased to see, however, that the bill provides for increased funding for border security and additional Border Patrol agents."

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