This year's RSC Budget champions truly common-sense reforms that could transform a failing immigration system designed to favor big business and the investor class into a national policy that defends working American citizens' and already present immigrants' safety and economic opportunity.
Concerned about what they see as "divisive rhetoric" during an election year, business leaders across Michigan issued a statement last week stressing their support for the immigration policies which have stagnated wages and lead to more and more jobless Americans.
The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) hosted a panel discussion this week focusing on the Refugee Resettlement Program and its impact on states and localities. Participants said that even if states withdraw from the program, the federal government pays private organizations to settle refugees in those states, generating the same costs for state taxpayers. The panel concluded refugee resettlement laws require thorough reform, especially since only a miniscule percentage of the refugees the United Nations wants to resettle face threats requiring their immediate removal.
The Major County Sheriffs' Association, representing counties with populations of 500,000 or more and 100 million Americans, sent a letter to DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson calling for better immigration enforcement. The letter, signed by the association's president Donny Youngblood, urges Johnson to enforce immigration laws, secure the border, and work with local law enforcement in enforcement efforts. The group met with Johnson via telephone earlier this month.
Tennessee state senator Todd Gardenhire, a first-term Republican from Chattanooga, withdrew legislation he sponsored that would have extended taxpayer subsidized in-state tuition to illegal aliens. Gardenshire said he doesn’t have enough support to get his bill through the Senate or House this year.
Washington State legislators cleared for the governor’s consideration a bill that gives illegal aliens access to financial aid at state-run universities and colleges. Gov. Jay Inslee has said he will sign the bill.
Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) uncovered a loop hole in the Gang of Eight immigration bill that would allow illegal aliens to access state and local welfare benefits immediately, according to a press release issued by his office.
The America's Affordable Health Choice Act, Congress' new plan for universal health care, is being marked up by the House Energy and Commerce Committee today. As written, the bill will allow millions of illegal aliens to receive taxpayer-funded health care. Rep. Nathan Deal will be submitting amendments to prevent this from occurring.
A new study released by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) finds that illegal immigration costs the average Virginia household $625 per year. Virginia's illegal alien population is estimated to be 295,000, up by 300% since 2000.