Letter Against Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Dear Senators Feinstein & Boxer,

Re: Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill (S.1348)

I have read several drafts of and amendments to the so-called Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill (S.1348). As an independent voter with no party affiliation, I can assure you that I am against this bill. Minor amendments will not change my lack of support for this bill.

First, the Reform bill fails to address new illegal aliens who have arrived since January 1, 2007. Some estimates would put the number of new illegal aliens at 300,000! Aggressive interior enforcement is needed for addressing these new illegal aliens. An example of an aggressive interior enforcement provision would be a requirement that landlords verify the immigration status of tenants using the SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) program, much like the Reform bill appears to require of employers.

Second, the Reform bill provides a Z-visa to illegal aliens without any fines, back taxes, or touch-back provisions. This is amnesty! To have my support, any such legalization provision must require payment of back taxes at all levels (Federal, state and local), a fine ($5,000), and requirement that the illegal alien return to his or her country of origin while waiting for bureaucratic review of the legalization application. Also, no path to citizenship for illegal aliens.

Third, the Federal Government has failed to enforce existing immigration laws causing the current illegal alien crisis. Much of the current crisis can be dealt with by enforcing existing laws. Also, I have no confidence that the Federal Government will effectively enforce any immigration laws, new or old. As an example, current immigration law (8 U.S.C. § 1642), mandates, “Not later than 18 months after August 22, 1996, the Attorney General of the United States, after consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall promulgate regulations requiring verification that a person applying for a Federal public benefit . . . is a qualified alien and is eligible to receive such benefit.” These regulations were never promulgated. Thus, no effective enforcement of the law passed by Congress!

Please vote NO on Senate bill S.1348, the so-called Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill.