Immigration Group Not Pleased With HR 6080

WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives passed H.R. 6080, a bill providing for $600 million in supplemental funding for border enforcement.  The House bill was similar to a bill passed on August 5th by the Senate just before Senators left for their August recess.  The bill now goes back to the Senate for final approval.  Following is a statement from Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum

Once again, Congress has moved an immigration bill that will waste the taxpayers’ dollars in order to make Congress look tough without actually solving any problems. 

We know that this is not about border safety, but about politics.  Members of Congress are eager to pass yet another enforcement bill so that, while they are conducting their town hall meetings during the August recess, they can tell their constituents that they just voted for increased enforcement.

We believe they misread the American public who, in poll after poll and by increasing margins, say they want an immigration solution that strengthens enforcement, but that also deals realistically with undocumented immigrants who live and work here, and creates a system that better regulates the flow of immigrants in the future.  

In throwing more money and agents at the border, Congress shows a lack of respect for the people who actually live on the border.  Police in border communities tell us—and statistics confirm—that crime is down in border communities.  Residents of border communities—in a newly released independent poll surveying border residents on border safety—say that they feel that their border communities are as safe as most communities in the nation.

We need a genuine, comprehensive solution to our immigration problem.  

Established in 1982, the National Immigration Forum is the leading immigrant advocacy organization in the country with a mission to advocate for the value of immigrants and immigration to the nation.  The Forum uses its communications, advocacy and policy expertise to create a vision, consensus and strategy that leads to a better, more welcoming America – one that treats all newcomers fairly.