Rep. Gutierrez Outlines Comprehensive Mass Amnesty Bill
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) outlined a mass amnesty bill on the Capitol's West Lawn during an open-borders rally earlier today. Rep. Gutierrez' bill ties together several amnesty bills already introduced during the 111th Congress as well as offering weak proposals for immigration and workplace enforcement.
The key points to Gutierrez' bill is a mass amnesty and a focus on family reunification.
We simply cannot wait any longer for a bill that keeps our families together, protects our workers and allows a pathway to legalization for those who have earned it. It is time we had a workable plan making its way through Congress that recognizes the vast contributions of immigrants to this country and that honors the American Dream.
-- Rep. Gutierrez
Rep. Gutierrez' comprehensive immigration bill includes:
Amnesty: Amnesty for all illegal aliens who are not here to "hurt our communities." The plan would create a path to citizenship, requiring illegal aliens to go through background checks, pay taxes and learn English.
Border Enforcement: The plan calls for a "professional and effective" approach to border control, but offers no solutions to ensuring that the flow of illegal aliens is prevented.
Interior Enforcement: "Smart and humane" enforcement.
Workplace Enforcement: Employers would be held responsible for the hiring and mis-treatment of illegal aliens, rather than the illegal aliens who often use stolen documents to acquire the jobs in the first place. The plan also calls for a verification system, but does not mention E-Verify or the use of a biometric system that was discussed during a Senate Subcommittee Hearing over the summer. A statement issued by the ACLU today urged lawmakers to reject a biometric enforcement mechanism.
Worker flow: The plan supports the overhaul of the current visa program and an independent council that evaluates economic conditions to regulate the flow of foreign workers. This provision has been endorsed by the labor unions.
Immigrant integration: The government would take a more active role in helping new immigrants integrate into the country and their local communities.
DREAM/AgJOBS: The plan also includes the DREAM Act which provides amnesty for children of illegal aliens so they can attend U.S. colleges and universities, and the AgJOBS bill which provides an amnesty for illegal alien farm workers who can prove that they've consistently worked in the country.
Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), who serves as the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, issued a statement shortly after today's rally.
The bill doesn't have a prayer because the American people oppose rewarding lawbreakers, which then encourages illegal immigration.
Allowing millions of illegal immigrants to stay and take jobs away from citizens is like giving a burglar a key to the house.
Illegal immigrants should play by the rules, return home and wait their turn like millions of legal immigrants.