Prepared Statement of Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee
Comprehensive Immigration Reform, S.744
Border Security First, Amendment 1195
Thursday, June 13, 2013
This amendment is the first of many that will improve the bill and do what the American people expect us to do. The American people are being asked to accept a legalization program, and in exchange for that compassionate approach, they’d be assured that the laws were going to be enforced.
But, as we read the details of the bill, it’s clear that the approach taken is legalize first, enforce later. My amendment would fundamentally change that.
The amendment that is now pending would require the Secretary to certify to Congress that the Secretary has maintained effective control over the entire Southern border for six months before processing applications for Registered Provisional Immigrant status.
It’s a common sense approach. Border security first. Legalize second.
If the bill passes as is, the Secretary of Homeland Security only needs to submit two plans before processing people through the legalization program.
We don’t need to pass any more legislation that tells this administration to do its job. People want the laws enforced.
Nevertheless, the bill would start legalization even if the strategies that the Secretary submits to Congress are flawed and inadequate. What if this Secretary isn’t committed to fencing? What if this Secretary believes the border is more secure than ever? Well, in fact, Secretary Napolitano told the committee she thought our borders were secure. That should concern us all.
RPI status is more than probation. RPI status is legalization.
Once a person gets RPI, they get the freedom to live in the United States. They can travel, work, and benefit from everything our country offers.
RPI status is de-facto permanent legalization. We all know it will never be taken away. Given the history of these types of programs, we know it will never end.
My amendment improves the trigger and fulfills the wish of the American people. My amendment ensures that the border is secured before one person gets legal status under this bill.
If we pass the bill as is, there will be no pressure on this administration or a future administration to secure the border. There will be no push by the legalization advocates to get that job done. We need to work together to secure the border first.
We need to secure the border for several reasons:
1) So we’re not back in this same position 25 years from now.
2) To protect our sovereignty.
3) To protect the homeland and improve national security.
Under my amendment, the Secretary would have to prove that we have “effective control” – as is defined in the bill – for six months before applications for Registered Provisional Immigrant status are processed.
I agree with at least one of the authors of this bill. If this border security title is not improved, this bill doesn’t stand a chance in making its way to the President.
My amendment is the first step in fixing it.
People don’t trust that the government will get this right, or that this administration is dedicated to securing the border. We don’t need a new bill to do that. We need to prove it to them.
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