Representative Heath Shuler (D-NC) plans to reintroduce The SAVE Act during the new session. The bill had 157 cosponsors, but the House leadership prevented a vote as Congress turned its attention to rising gas prices and the economy.
The bill would require all employers to use the Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify system that checks to see whether or not an applicant can legally work in the United States. The bill would also strengthen border security and both points are issues the majority of Democrats oppose.
"The Democratic (congressional) leadership didn't want it," said Steven Camarota, research director at the Center for Immigration Studies, in an article in the Ashville Citizen-Times
"We're going to continue with the process," Shuler told the paper. "The issue still needs to be raised."
Last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said that the Senate would work with the Obama Administration on passing a comprehensive immigration reform package. The package would likely slow down the rate of workplace raids and find alternative solutions to deportations.
The Ashville Citizen-Times has more on this story.
Updated: Mon, Dec 1st 2008 @ 5:45pm EST