Vitter: Obama Suggests Amnesty - Won't Embrace Full Border Security

Press Release

U.S. Sen. David Vitter, chairman of the U.S. Senate Border Security and Enforcement First Immigration Caucus, today made the following statement after President Obama's address on immigration policy.

"First and foremost, if President Obama and Sen. Reid are serious about immigration reform, amnesty needs to be completely removed from the debate. Democrats and Republicans overwhelmingly rejected amnesty in 2007 and the DREAM Act last year, and I'll most certainly continue to oppose amnesty in any form, especially while our borders are not secure," Vitter said. "There are literally online donation campaigns to raise money to complete the border fences because of the lack of action from the federal government. Americans shouldn't have to pass the hat to pay for the border security this administration is refusing to provide.

"And by no means is it constructive for the president to make light of our demands for increased security to control our borders," Vitter added in reference to President Obama's sarcastic statement that that some proponents of border security want to build a moat with alligators.

According to a Government Accountability Office report, less than half of the Unites State's southern border is "operationally controlled' by U.S. Border Patrol.

Recently Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and San Francisco Sheriff Michael Hennessey announced that they would not participate in the Department of Homeland Security's program called "Secure Communities" that would require local law enforcement agencies to report illegal alien criminals to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation. President Obama and DHS have yet to take action or comment on the situation.

"The president missed a real opportunity to address sanctuary cities -- an issue his administration has failed to comment on thus far," said Vitter. "Instead they're just giving a wink and nod of approval to sanctuary cities that don't enforce our immigration laws."

Earlier this year, Vitter offered a bill that would withhold law enforcement funding from cities that continue to practice sanctuary policies and not enforce the federal immigration laws currently on the books. He is the chairman of the Senate Border Security Caucus.

Sen. Vitter has recently introduced legislation that amends the Immigration and Nationality Act in order to limit birthright citizenship to children born in the U.S. to at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen, legal resident alien or active member of the U.S. armed forces.

Vitter also recently introduced the Child Tax Credit Integrity Preservation Act, which would prevent illegal aliens from claiming tax credits intended for American citizens and legal residents. Vitter's bill is estimated to save at least $2.4 billion each year.

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