Gang of Eight Files Updated Amnesty Bill
The Gang of Eight filed an amended version of its "comprehensive immigration reform" amnesty bill on Tuesday that, most notably, continues the current E-Verify program. There was some debate over whether the original bill scrapped the existing E-Verify program to create a brand new system, but the updated bill adds some clarity to the contested point.
The original version of the bill calls for the creation of a new workplace verification system. That had states with mandatory E-Verify laws already on the books concerned that the bill would preempt its laws. The amended bill, however, requires the Department of Homeland Security to continue operating the E-Verify system until the new system comes online, ensuring there will be no gap in workplace verification.
The amended version also calls for the fees collected from illegal aliens during the amnesty process be used for the $7.5 billion set aside for DHS to secure the border. It also states that anyone convicted of at least 3 drunk driving offenses be deemed inadmissible.
For more information, see The Washington Times.