House Bill H.R. 4437 Falls Short on Immigration Reform

Republican National Hispanic Assembly

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

House bill falls short on immigration reform

Rep. Mike Turner, Republican OH-3

Wednesday, February 22, 2006
http://www.timesgazette.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=137589

My concern with the legislation is that it makes all illegal immigrants felons. The extreme punishments in the bill mandate that those who assist illegal aliens are also felons.

House bill falls short on immigration reform
Recently, I voted against the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 (H.R. 4437).

In principle, I am in favor of the goals and objectives of the legislation, but could not, in good conscience, vote for this bill because of the end result it would have produced. I would like to use this opportunity to explain why I voted against this immigration bill, when in fact, I agree that border control and immigration control is necessary.

The legislation cracks down on illegal immigrants in every phase from crossing the border to immigrants who have long become established in the United States. The bill proposes erecting a 698-mile wall along a portion of the U.S.-Mexico border, in addition to the walls and fences already erected in parts of California and Texas.

The bill proposes adding hundreds of Border Patrol and other immigration agents, aided by technology including: infrared cameras, specialized sensors that can differentiate between humans and animals, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV).

My concern with the legislation is that it makes all illegal immigrants felons. The extreme punishments in the bill mandate that those who assist illegal aliens are also felons.

It would also become a felony to offer even humanitarian support to illegal immigrants. This would include Americans that do as much as show a little kindness such as offer a glass of water, give a little food, or even a ride.

Currently, illegal immigrants are committing a civil offense.

A recent Wall Street Journal opinion piece stated, “The bill radically expands the definition of terms like “alien smuggler,” “harboring,” “shielding” and “transporting.”

Hence, all manner of people would become criminally liable and subject to fines, property forfeiture and imprisonment – the landscaper who gives a co-worker a ride to a job; the legal resident who takes in an undocumented relative; a Catholic Charities shelter providing beds and meals to anyone who walks through the door.

Catholic Charities are just one of many faith-based and other charitable organizations that oppose the measure. The agency’s head, Carmen Maquilon, is quoted in Newsday as saying, “We are...mandated by the church to help the stranger...It’s almost the essence of what our department stands for.”

I believe that we can craft a better bill; legislation that strengthens immigration enforcement without creating a new group of “good Samaritan felons.”

My guiding principles with respect to immigration reform are: legal immigration, controlling America’s borders, national security and economic security. Any plan must offer significant advances in reforming our immigration system to protect our country and strengthen legal immigration.

Immigration is now a matter of homeland security. All of the 9/11 hijackers entered this country legally on temporary visas, mostly tourist visas with entry permits for

six months. Although four of them attended flight school in the United States, only one is known to have entered on an appropriate visa for such study, and one entered on an F-1 student visa.

The four pilots had been in the United States for extended periods, although none was a legal permanent resident. Some had received more than one temporary visa; most of which were currently valid on Sept. 11, 2001.

However, at least three of them had fallen out of status and were therefore in the United States illegally. These facts demonstrate how important improved control over immigration is to the safety of our nation.

The Wall Street Journal concludes, “In truth, this bill in its current form has no chance of becoming law.” There are three competing bills that will soon be debated in the Senate.

I look forward to an opportunity to vote for immigration reform that strengthens our borders and protects the homeland. If the Senate sends back to the House a bill that meets my guiding principles, without turning good Samaritans into felons, I look forward to the opportunity to vote for an immigration reform bill, as it is clearly needed.

Rep. Mike Turner, R-Centerville, represents Ohio’s Third Congressional District.