H.R. 5014, the Illegal Entry Accountability Act, would hold Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador accountable for illegal immigration by immediately suspending all U.S. foreign aid to these countries until Congress determines sufficient action is taken to mitigate unlawful U.S.-Mexico border crossings by their respective citizens. This is one of the few bills targeting the surge in illegal aliens.
H.R. 4882, the Southwest Border Protection Act of 2014, would direct the National Guard to secure the U.S. - Mexico border. Because many of the illegal aliens crossing the border as part of the 2014 border surge will likely receive green cards, this bill would help reduce the overall increase that is expected as a result of surge. Furthermore, it is is just about the only legislative response being offered to address the surge and slow/stop the flow.
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. 3141, the Biometric Exit Improvement Act of 2013 would weaken border control by exempting non-pedestrian traffic from the entry-exit system. This would exempt an estimated 25% of all border crossings from the entry-exit system and create a loophole for would-be illegal aliens who would not be subject to the exit system and, thus, could potentially overstay in the U.S.
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. 2124, the Keeping the Promise of IRCA Act, does everything possible to keep the promises of internal enforcement made in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA). First and foremost, it establishes mandatory E-Verify for all future hires, effectively eliminating the jobs magnet. Penalties are increased for fraud and smuggling, and so-called "sanctuary cities" lose all State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) funding.
S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, was a massive immigration reform bill, introduced by the 'Gang of 8' that 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. 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. 830, the Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act of 2013 would help reduce illegal immigration by broadening and enhancing border security and interior enforcement measures. Perhaps the most important aspect of the SAVE Act is its requirement that ALL employers use the E-Verify electronic workplace verification program, an inexpensive, quick, and accurate way to verify the employment eligibility of ALL employees. This would go a long way toward removing the job magnet for illegal immigration.
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.