MENENDEZ INTRODUCES COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM BILL
Legislation, co-sponsored by Judiciary Chairman Leahy, addresses range of
issues – from border security and worksite enforcement to pathway to
legalization
October 1, 2010
WASHINGTON – U.S.
Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today introduced comprehensive immigration reform
legislation aimed at finally addressing the broken immigration system with
tough, smart and fair measures. The bill, co-sponsored by Judiciary Committee
Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT), addresses long-standing, wide-ranging flaws in
the immigration system that have been priorities of groups on each side of the
immigration reform debate. Measures include strengthening border security,
enhancing worksite enforcement of immigration laws and requiring the estimated
11 million undocumented immigrants present in the U.S. to register with the
government, pay their taxes, learn English, pay a fine, pass a background check
and wait in line for permanent residence.
gThe American people are united in their understanding that our immigration
system is broken,h said Menendez. gThey donft want partisan bickering and
demonizing, they want a commonsense solution that addresses the realities of the
situation, stops the flow across our borders and protects our economy. If we can
put political grandstanding aside and work together on a comprehensive,
middle-of-the-road bill like this one, we can bring all sides to the table. We
can finally take action on a problem that has generated a lot of talk over the
past decade but few results.h
gThe legislation Senator Menendez and I have introduced is an important
starting point for this debate," said Leahy. "It protects the rights and
opportunities of American workers, while ensuring that American farmers and
employers have the help they need. It promotes jobs to help spur our
economy, it supports families, it helps to bring undocumented workers out of the
shadows, and it enhances our border security. These are goals we can all
share.h
Summary of legislation:
• Smart, effective border enforcement including: 1)
triggers that must be met before any unauthorized immigrants can apply for
permanent residency; 2) expanded staffing for Border Patrol; 3) involving border
communities in developing enforcement policy and 4) more resources for the
Border Patrol.
• Effective and accountable immigration enforcement inside
the United States, including: 1) heightened penalties for criminal offenses; 2)
expanded penalties for passport and document fraud; 3) requirements for DHS to
track entries and exits at the border and 4) common sense rules governing
detention to ensure U.S. citizens are not unlawfully detained and detention
conditions meet basic standards
• Worksite enforcement
including: 1) an employment verification system to ensure employers no longer
hire undocumented workers that will be mandatory for all employers within 5
years; 2) criminal penalties for fraud and misuse of Social Security
numbers; 3) protections for workers to prevent fraudulent use of social
security numbers, correct government database errors, and combat employment
discrimination and 4) a voluntary pilot program that allows individuals to
submit biometric identifiers to demonstrate work authorization.
• The establishment of a commission on Immigration, Labor
Markets, National Interest to evaluate labor and economic conditions and
link employment visa numbers to need.
• Policies that put American workers first and protect
labor rights by significantly expanding labor protections in the current H-2A,
H-2B, H-1B, L-1 visa programs.
• Creates the structure for a new nonimmigrant visa program
(H-2C), with portability and a path to permanent residency, that addresses gaps
in existing worker programs that have lead to undocumented migration and
undermined labor rights.
• Reunification of families separated by outdated
immigration laws.
• A registration program that requires undocumented
immigrants in the U.S. as of September 30, 2010 to register with the government,
learn English, and pay fines and taxes on their way to becoming Americans (the
Lawful Perspective Immigrant program).
• Programs to promote integration and English-language
learning among immigrants.
• The Dream Act, AGJOBS and UAFA (the permanent partners
bill.)
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