border control

CNN Poll: 62% Say Border Security Needs to be First Priority in Immigration Policy

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A new CNN/ORC International survey found that 62% of Americans say border security should be the main focus of U.S. immigration policy, while only 36% say a path to citizenship for illegal aliens should be the top priority.

According to the poll, more than six in ten Americans say border security is a bigger priority than a path to citizenship for illegal aliens. 

ICE Union President Tells Sens. Cornyn and Rubio that S.744 Weakens Interior Enforcement

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In a letter to Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), ICE Union President Chris Crane says the Gang of Eight's bill, S.744, is flawed because it places "new restrictions on interior enforcement." Crane writes that the bill would make the current situation worse and more hazardous and urges them to reject S.744 and instead focus on Rep. Trey Gowdy's (R-S.C.) interior enforcement bill and Rep. John Barrow's (D-Ga.) border security and interior enforcement legislation introduced in the House.

Rep. Walter Jones Stands with NC Sheriffs in Opposition to Schumer-Rubio-Obama Amnesty Bill

Rep. Jones

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After several more North Carolina sheriffs signed on to a letter to Congress from the law enforcement agencies across the nation, Rep. Walter Jones issued a statement on Wednesday saying he stood by the sheriffs in their opposition to the Schumer-Rubio-Obama amnesty bill. Rep. Jones said he, too, is concerned about the bill's lack of interior enforcement.

Rep. John Barrow Introduces Keeping the Promise of IRCA Act

Rep. John Barrow

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Rep. John Barrow (D-Ga.) has introduced the Keeping the Promise of IRCA Act. The bill would fulfill the border security promises, workplace verification promises, and interior enforcement promises that were never fulfilled by the 1986 amnesty bill. The bill serves as an alternative to the Gang of Eight's amnesty bill, S.744, and is a response to public opinion that's been evident in poll after poll that the border needs to be secured before dealing with other aspects of immigration reform.

The Keeping the Promise of IRCA Act would:

Poll: Americans Favor Enforcement Before Amnesty

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A new Fox Poll surveying 1,000 registered voters over the last several days has found that 73% of Americans favor securing the border before making changes to immigration policy. This percentage is up from polls in April and February showing 68% and 69%, respectively, support for enforcement before amnesty. The Gang of Eight's bill, S.744, puts the amnesty before the enforcement provisions kick in.

Americans Remember 1986 from Coast-to-Coast

Updated: July 5th, 2017, 4:17 pm
Melanie Oubre's Picture

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  by  Melanie Oubre

This past Tuesday, grassroots groups around the country took part in a national day to remember 1986.  At least 50 separate organizations banded together under the banner "Remember 1986 Coalition."  With a unified voice they asked Senators, the press, and fellow Americans to remember the broken promises of the 1986 amnesty bill and warned to not let it happen again.

Hatch Biometric Amendment Weakens Current Law

Updated: May 21st, 2013, 12:54 pm

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  by  Chris Chmielenski

Ever since the Senate Judiciary Committee began its consideration of the Gang of Eight's amnesty bill nearly two weeks ago, one topic has been a recurring theme -- a biometric exit/entry system. After defeating a number of strong amendments to include biometrics in the Gang's bill, the Committee passed an amendment on Monday that was offered by Sen. Orrin Hatch. But Sen. Hatch's amendment actually weakens current law and does nothing to make S.744 any better.

USCIS Union Joins ICE Union and Law Enforcement in Opposing Gang of Eight Amnesty Bill

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Last week, the union that represents the nation's 7,600 Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents sent a letter to Congress warning it that the Gang of Eight's amensty bill, S.744, would endanger the public safety. Dozens of local law enforcement officers had signed on to the letter, and more have added their names since. This week, the union that represents the federal employees at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services also signed on to the letter.

Sen. Flake Called Out for Overstating Role of Border Security Commission

Updated: May 18th, 2013, 2:00 pm

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  by  Chris Chmielenski

Last week, Sen. Marco Rubio sprinted to the airwaves to defend the Gang of Eight's legislation after it had been attacked during the first round of committee markup, but his description of the bill wasn't exactly accurate. Continuing that trend, A Gang of Eight member who also sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Jeff Flake, wasn't exactly accurate himself in his description of the bill's "triggers" when they came under attack from Senators John Cornyn and Jeff Sessions on Thursday.

Senate immigration gang frustrates GOP efforts to bolster border enforcement

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"After two weeks of considering amendments to the Gang of Eight immigration bill, the Senate Judiciary Committee has generally failed to strengthen the loophole-filled enforcement provisions or to reduce the harm of radically expanded immigration numbers on unemployed and underemployed Americans," said Roy Beck, executive director of NumbersUSA, which opposes granting millions of illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.

Senate Judiciary Committee Balks at Enforcement

Sens. Sessions and Leahy

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On the first day of the Senate Judiciary Committee's markup of the Gang of Eight's amnesty bill, one thing was crystal clear -- the Democrat-leaning Committee and its two GOP Gang of Eight Members are set on legalizing 11 million illegal aliens before any enforcement takes place. The Committee voted down 5 amendments that would have required measurable enforcement efforts occur before illegal aliens are legalized and given work permits.

Only 30% of Voters Believe Government Will Secure Border if Amnesty Passes

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A new Rasmussen Reports poll has found that only 30% of American voters believe the federal government will actually secure the border if Congress passes an immigration reform bill.  This shows an ever-increasing pessimism from Americans that the government is serious about securing our nation's borders: in March, 38% said the federal government would secure the borders if legislation passes and in January, the figure was 45%. In the same poll, only 7% of voters consider it "very likely" that the border will be secured, while 24% consider it "not at all likely."

Reps. King, Barletta, and Gohmert Voice Opposition to Amnesty

Reps. King, Barletta, and Gohmert

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On the floor of the House of Representatives Wednesday night, Reps. Steve King (R-Iowa), Lou Barletta (R-Pa.), and Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) voiced their opposition to the amnesty bills being drafted in both the House and the Senate. The three have been mostly silent, but decided it was time to speak out with news that legislation is likely to be introduced next week.

New Illegal Border Crossers ask for Amnesty

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San Antonio's WOAI radio is reporting a surge in illegal border crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, and Border Patrol agents say the detained border crossers are asking for amnesty. Border Patrol agents say the number of illegal border corssers being found dead in the Texas brush country is also up and on path to beat last year's record mark.

Radar Shows More Illegal Border Crossers Avoid Apprehension Than Are Caught

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A story in the Los Angeles Times reports that a sophisticated airborne radar system being used along the border has found that more individuals trying to cross the border illegally elude Border Patrol agents than what has been traditionally thought. According to the story, between Oct. 1, 2012 and Jan. 17, 2013, the radar helped Border Patrol detain 1,874 people, but another 1,962 people were able to elude capture.

Obama Administration Blocked Border Security Measurements to Prevent it from Impeding Immigration Reform

Pres. Obama

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The Obama Administration admitted on Thursday that it resisted efforts by the Department of Homeland Security to create a way to measure border security because it was concerned the measurement would be used to block immigration reform that provides an amnesty to the nation's 11-19 million illegal aliens. The news came after a House Committee hearing on Wednesday where DHS officials said they failed to create a measurement system after telling Congress that it would two years ago.

DHS Budget Cuts not Impacting Perks at Illegal-Alien Detention Centers

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Earlier this week, ICE Director John Morton told a House Committee that the release of more than 2,200 illegal aliens was necessary in light of the sequester. DHS has also said that Border Patrol agents could face salary cuts because of the sequester. But a new report says the detention centers that hold illegal-alien detainees, which contain many perks for detainees, won't see any cuts.

Senate Hearing Highlights the Divide on Immigration Reform

Updated: February 14th, 2013, 10:30 pm

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  by  Chris Chmielenski

Since there’s still no "comprehensive immigration reform" bill in either the House or the Senate, there's a lot of uncertainty about what a final bill may look like. But one thing is becoming clear; there are lots of opposing opinions on what should be and shouldn’t be in the bill, and those differences were on display during Wednesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

How the Obama Administration Inflates Deportation Statistics

Pres. Obama

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For the last few years, the Obama Administration has claimed that it's deporting a record number of illegal aliens. But, the Administration is adding numbers to its overall deportation statistics that have not been historically included in the total number of annual deportations. Here's a look at how the Obama Administration has artificially inflated the number of deportations.

'Gang of Eight' Senators Announce Amnesty, Guest Worker Plan

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A group of eight Senators today announced the outline of an agreement they reached on immigration-law changes that substantially mirrors the failed 2007 attempt to amnesty illegal aliens and increase foreign-worker numbers. The Senators’ proposal includes a legalization of illegal aliens currently residing in the United States, higher levels of legal immigration, mandatory employment verification, and a new guest worker program.

Report: Illegal Immigration back on the rise

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A new report from the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute at the University of Southern California finds that illegal migration from Mexico to the United States is back on the rise after a decline during the economic recession that started in 2008. The Institute based its conclusion on six indicators including flows across the southwest border, repatriations, demography, remittances, employment levels of illegal aliens, and enforcement actions.

Number of Unaccompanied Illegal-Alien Minors in Detention Centers Increases 50%

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Over the nine-month period ending June 30, 2012, the number of unaccompanied illegal-alien minors in U.S. detention centers increased almost 50 percent. Most of the growth came from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, according to a report by the Women's Refugee Commission.

Border deaths cry out for E-Verify

Updated: October 16th, 2012, 12:38 pm

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  by  Jeremy Beck

Readers may draw one significant conclusion from the powerful print and video report, "Deadly crossing: Death toll rises among those desperate for the American Dream," (NBC, October 9, 2012): People will continue to die crossing the southern border as long as they believe a U.S. job awaits.

Attack on Border Patrol Agents Leaves One Dead, Another Wounded

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Border Patrol Agents traveling on horseback near the U.S.-Mexico border were attacked by unknown assailants early today. One Agent was shot to death and another wounded with non-life-threatening injuries. A third escaped injury. The agents were investigating the triggering of a border sensor near Naco, Arizona. It is not known whether they returned fire.

House committee forces Napolitano to reveal huge holes in her amnesty plan

Updated: July 20th, 2012, 4:12 pm

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  by  Chris Chmielenski

On Thursday, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano faced Members of the House Judiciary Committee who are likely the most outspoken critics of her policy memorandum that provides amnesty through the use of prosecutorial discretion to at least 1.4 million illegal aliens. When the policy was first announced, several questions were left unanswered due to its ambiguity. While Members of the committee asked for answers to many of those questions, Secretary Napolitano dodged, avoided, and redirected her way through the more than two hour hearing.

House Passes Bishop Border Security Measure

Rep. Rob Bishop

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On Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed the Conservation and Economic Growth Act, H.R.2578, that included a section to allow the Border Patrol to fully operate on federally-owned lands with 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. The Border Patrol section was originally part of Rep. Rob Bishop's (R-Utah) National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) offered an amendment to strip Bishop's section from the larger bill, but the House voted down the amendment.

House approves amendments to Homeland Security bill that increase interior enforcement and help secure the border

Updated: June 15th, 2017, 4:17 pm

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  by  Chris Chmielenski

Last night, the House passed the Department of Homeland Security Approprations Act of 2013, and with it, eight amendments focused on increasing interior enforcement and securing the border were approved and added to the final bill. Under House Leadership of the last few Congresses, it's been tough to get recorded votes from the full House, but the DHS spending bill is annual measure we can count on!

Rep. Poe and Altmire's Amendment to Fund Cell Phone Towers on Southwest Border Passes by Wide Margin

Reps. Poe and Altmire

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For the second straight year, Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas) offered an amendment to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act that would set aside money to build cell phone towers on the Southwest border with Mexico. And for the second straight year, the amendment received strong support during a role call vote late last night in the House, passing by a 302-to-113 margin.

2013 Homeland Security Spending Bill on House Floor

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The House of Representatives is currently debating H.R. 5855, a bill that would fund the Department of Homeland Security for the 2013 fiscal year. This bill includes funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Services. There are several immigration amendments that would strengthen interior enforcement and increase border security.

House Passes 2 Border Security Bills

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On Wednesday, the House passed two border security measures with little resistance. Both, the Secure Border Act (H.R.1299) and the Jamie Zapata Border Enforcement Security Task Force Act (H.R.915), were passed under suspension of the rules, meaning there would be no debate and no amendments, but the bills needed at least a 2/3rds vote to pass.

Obama Administration Rejects Amnesty International Charges that its Immigration Enforcement Violates Human Rights

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A new Amnesty International report criticizes the U.S. government for its treatment of the Hispanic and indegenious communities living along the border, according to gantdaily.com. The report urged the Homeland Security Department to suspend parts of its border enforcement program until the agency's Inspector General can investigate and make recommendations for improvements. 

Immigration and Border Security Agencies Still at Odds, According to Report

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The various federal agencies that deal with border security and immigration issues are still not on the same page, according to a report by the Office of the Inspector General. The report concludes that agencies such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol still have significant problems linking databases and maintaining efficient lines of communication.

House Committee Misses Chance to Question Sec. Napolitano on Immigration Enforcement

Updated: February 20th, 2012, 9:58 am

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  by  Jonathan Osborne

The House Homeland Security Committee hosted a hearing Wednesday afternoon called “An Examination of the President's FY 2013 Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security” with DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano.The President's budget essentially cuts all 287(g) funding despite an overwhelming bipartisan vote in the House last year to keep the program. With little chance for the budget to pass, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle didn't put too much pressure on Sec. Napolitano, missing an opportunity to ask hard questions of the Administration and its efforts to curb illegal immigration.

Shocking Video Shows that Billion-Dollar Border Fence is about as Secure as a Garage Door

Updated: February 17th, 2012, 12:49 pm

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  by  Chris Chmielenski

DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano and the rest of the Obama Adminstration have been preaching the repetative Quixotic declaration that the Southwest border with Mexico is more secure now than it's ever been. Well, a shocking new video shows quite the contrary as drug smugglers use a simple car jack to lift the fence panels near Lukeville, Ariz. to open up an unobstructed gateway into the United States. Watch this eye-opening video now . . .

Obama to Push for More Visas at Magic Kingdom -- Where the Entry/Exit System was Perfected

Updated: January 17th, 2012, 6:16 pm

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  by  Chris Chmielenski

Disney World is dubbed one of the "Happiest Places on Earth", and Pres. Barack Obama will try to make it even happier by proposing to simplify the tourist visa process during a speech there on Thursday. The President will "unveil a strategy that will significantly help boost tourism and travel" said a White House aide. Trying to boost the top industry in a state with double-digit unemployment is a good idea. But making it easier for foreign visitors to come to the United States is a bad idea without a completed entry/exit system.

GAO: 40% of Fires on U.S.- Mexico Border Caused by Illegal Aliens

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The Government Accountability Office released a new report, stating that between 2006-2010, illegal aliens started 40% if the human-ignited wildfires along the U.S. - Mexico border. The study was carried out by the independent GAO, the investigative arm of the Congress, at the request of Senator John McCain of Arizona. The GAO investigated 77 of the reported 422 human-caused fires. Of the 77 fires investigated, federal officals concluded that 30 were ignited by illegal border crossers. 

Sec. Napolitano Faces Tough Questions from House Judiciary Committee

Updated: November 1st, 2011, 1:46 pm

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  by  Jonathan Osborne

The House Judiciary Committee hosted a Department of Homeland Security oversight hearing last Wednesday with Secretary Janet Napolitano. Deferred Action and Fast and Furious were the primary topics of contention, and while Jason Chaffetz and Darrell Issa made their points, other good exchanges from Randy Forbes and Sandy Adams were overshadowed.

Homeland Security Subcommittee Presses DHS Officials on Policy of Administrative Amnesty

Updated: October 7th, 2011, 8:50 am

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  by  Jonathan Osborne

The House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security hosted a hearing Tuesday morning titled, “Does Administrative Amnesty Harm our Efforts to Gain and Maintain Operational Control of the Border?” While Members stuck mostly to their traditional talking points, the hearing did shed some light on Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith's HALT Act, which out prohibit the Administration from offering an Administrative Amnesty. Democrats on the Subcommittee discussed the costs associated with deportations, while Republicans questioned DHS officials on the logic of allowing illegal aliens in custody go free.

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