Immigration Bills

H.R. 15, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, was a massive immigration reform bill, introduced by Rep. Joe Garcia (D-Fla.) and was the House companion to the Gang of 8's S. 744. H.R. 15 would result in approximately 30 million new permanent work permits issued in the first 10 years if passed. The bill would grant legal status and worker permits to an estimated 11 million illegal aliens with an opportunity for green cards after 10 years and replace some family-based immigration categories with a merit-based points system.

H.R. 2220, the SMART Act of 2013, would make efforts to achieve border security along the international border with Mexico. First, the bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to achieve and maintain operational control of only the Southwest border, which is defined as a 90% probability that all illegal border crossers are apprehended and narcotics and other contraband are seized.

H.R. 1417, the Border Security Results Act of 2013, addresses border security, but does little to guarantee an actual border security results. Rather than require the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to gain control of U.S. Borders, this act merely requires the Secretary to submit a plan to gain operational control of only the southern borders within 5 years. Operational control is met when the DHS determines that it has apprehended and turned back at least 90% of those who try to enter the U.S. illegally.

H.R. 72, the Border Security, Cooperation, and Act Now Drug War Prevention Act of 2013 would allow for emergency deployments of U.S. Border Patrol agents, DEA agents, and ATF agents in states that declare an "international border security emergency." Improvements to border security are also proposed, including new equipment, technology, and vehicles for agents, in order to prevent various forms of crime including crossing into the United States at any location other than an authorized port of entry.