Border Security Bill Resisted

The Border and Workplace Security bill, legislation designed to make it harder for illegal aliens to cross the border and get jobs, has run into resistance.

According to the Associated Press, almost all Democrats, and several border-state Republicans want a more comprehensive immigration reform that also deals with the estimated 11 million illegal aliens already in the country while other Republicans are unhappy that the border security measures aren’t tougher.

The Border and Workplace Security bill requires the Homeland Security Department to employ the personnel and technology needed to secure the border, ends the “catch-and-release” policy for non-Mexicans, requires the Pentagon and Homeland Security to come up with a common plan on the use of military technology to stop illegal crossings, increases penalties for smugglers and those re-entering the country illegally, authorizes police along the border to enforce immigration law, makes illegal presence in the United States a criminal offense and, most significantly, requires all employers to check on the legal status of workers.

The Washington Post reports business groups led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are working to kill the Border and Workplace Security bill:

Lobby groups including the chamber, the National Restaurant Association and the Associated General Contractors of America are so vehement in their opposition that they will consider lawmakers' votes on the bill a key measure of whether they will support them in the future.

The business community's effort may be counter productive. There is a lot of scrutiny now over lawmakers' cozy relationships with lobbyists. The resignation of Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham after pleading guilty to taking more than $2 million in bribes and the investigation of others, may cause some in Congress to welcome an opportunity to oppose business interests.

Business groups trying to kill this legislation are out of sync with public opinion. A Recent survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, found that 51% of those polled said they believed that reducing illegal immigration should be a top priority.

Comments

[tyree]

So far I have mailed letters to Loretta Sanchez, Barbara Boxer and Diane Fienstein and asked them which laws I get to break. So far, no answers to that question. Why am I expected to obey the law when no one is watching but illegal immigrants don't have to worry about the consequences of their actions? Thanks for your hard work.