Today’s blog continues our report on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s markup of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act.
This week, the Senate Judiciary Committee plowed through multiple amendments to the Immigration Reform bill. The Committee finished its consideration of amendments to the bill’s provisions related to border security and reforms to nonimmigrant visa programs. Senators from the “Gang of Eight” have remained committed to their compromise to see the bill move forward.
As the Committee continues its markup, consideration of the bill’s internal enforcement provisions will likely be a more strenuous process. Among the provisions under consideration today will be mandatory use of E-verify and employer penalties associated with employment of unauthorized foreign nationals. Provisions aimed at reducing current backlogs at immigration courts by increasing the discretion of immigration judges will also be considered.
We will continue our commentary on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s markup of the Immigration Reform bill as it has yet to consider some of the most controversial portions of the proposed legislation, including the legalization of undocumented immigrants, the elimination of the diversity visa lottery, and the elimination of immigrant visa categories for sponsorship of brothers and sisters of US citizens.
Mooers Immigration has long been engaged in Comprehensive Immigration Reform, responding to Congressional inquiries on policy and law issues. We are regularly asked to assist elected officials and their staff to understand both the benefits and consequences of various proposals for reform.
