Senate Voting This Week on Bad Border Bill
February 6, 2024 | Washington, D.C.
Eagle Forum Alert:
The Senate immigration language dropped Sunday night, and it’s even worse than we thought. Despite promises from Senate drafters of mitigating the border crisis, the bill puts into law the very problems that caused millions of illegal aliens to cross our borders. Our hope was that this legislation would have forced the Administration to act to protect the nation, but instead, the bill allows them to continue the actions that have led to the problems we see in every major US city. After reviewing the text, here are some of the policies:
The Secretary of Homeland Security does not have to act until 5,000 border encounters are reached daily for 7 days. Allowing thousands of illegals into our country every day is unacceptable.
There is no provision that “shuts down” the border. Even if the President declares a national emergency, the Secretary of Homeland Security must allow 1,400 immigrants to enter per day.
The President can avoid taking action to limit the number of illegals entering by saying it’s in the “nation’s best interest” to keep the border wide open.
Unaccompanied minors are exempt from all removal provisions and will not be counted as part of the daily numbers unless they are from Mexico. They will each be assigned a taxpayer-funded lawyer.
Work visas will be immediately provided for asylum seekers.
Expulsion authority sunsets in 3 years.
Allocates $1.4 million to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide services to illegals.
Puts the D.C. District Court (a very left-wing court) in charge of any challenges to the law instead of the 5th Circuit Court which has jurisdiction over Texas.
Codifies catch-and-release and parole programs that allow asylum seekers to disperse throughout the country.
Does not include “remain in Mexico” (that mandates asylum seekers remain in Mexico until their status hearing).
The President has the authority under current law to shut down the border. In fact, the U.S. House of Representatives is bringing up articles of impeachment for Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas because of his refusal to enforce basic border security laws. In a tweet in support of the bill, Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) made clear,” The border never closes, but claims must be processed at the ports.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has announced a vote on this bill on Wednesday which only gives Senators and the American people three days to read and understand this complex 400-page bill. Rushing a vote on a bill of this magnitude in such a short amount of time guarantees that the details will be overlooked. IF a vote must take place on this bill, it needs more time for debate and education.
TAKE ACTION
We ask that you flood the phone lines of your Senators and urge them to vote against the border language in the supplemental bill. If the offices have turned off their phones, you can send an email to their office.
Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121