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Congress increases H-2B visas in 2016
I was disappointed to see Congress expand the H-2B program for 2016 in the recent spending bill. This program is rife with fraud and abuse and allows low-skilled foreign workers to take jobs that could be taken by America’s most vulnerable workers. I urge you not to increase the number of H-2B visas in future years. Congress’ expansion of the H-2B program in the recent spending bill will allow any foreign workers who have held an H-2B visa over the last three years to be exempt from the 2016 caps. This is a gift to the business community who would rather hire cheap, foreign labor than hire unemployed Americans. The latest jobs report revealed that nearly 3 million Americans with a high school degree or less are looking for work. These vulnerable workers need jobs — jobs that companies would rather give to foreign workers through use of the H-2B visa. Furthermore, the unemployment rate for teens sits at 16.1% — more than three times the national average. Traditionally, jobs that are now being given to H-2B visa holders have gone to teens, so their high unemployment rate comes as no surprise. You were elected to help American workers get back to work not help foreign workers find jobs in the U.S. and big business drive down wages by hiring cheaper, foreign workers. I urge you to oppose any future increases in the H-2B guest worker program.
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Stand with border enforcement
It is truly disturbing that the Obama administration has given orders to Border Patrol agents that run contrary to federal law. Not only is it unlawful, but it is immoral and indefensible to order agents who arrest illegal aliens to release them without giving them a Notice to Appear. The administration has every right to be embarrassed that only half of illegal aliens given these notices eventually appear in court, but simply allowing illegal aliens to remain in the country without so much as a hearing is unlawful and jeopardizes our nation’s security. Brandon Judd, the president of the National Border Patrol Council, testified before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday and his comments were truly disturbing. Judd testified that the Obama administration has ordered Border Patrol agents to release detained illegal aliens without Notices to Appear because they are simply ignored. Judd continued: “Not only do we release these individuals that by law are subject to removal proceedings, we do it without any means of tracking their whereabouts. Agents believe this exploitable policy was set in place because DHS was embarrassed at the sheer number of those who choose not to follow the law by showing up for their court appearances. In essence, we pull these persons out of the shadows and into the light just to release them right back to those same shadows from whence they came.” I urge you to look into these matters, especially after news reports have indicated that violent drug gangs like MS-13 are expanding their reach. Please investigate these developments and take steps to ensure our country’s security remains in tact.
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Enforce our immigration laws
According to a new DHS report, nearly half a million foreign visitors overstayed their visas in FY2015. On seven separate occasions, Congress has provided funding for the yet-to-be-completed biometric entry-exit system. It’s about time you follow up on your actions and make sure DHS finally implements this system at all ports of entry.
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Support a refugee moratorium
It is important that you support H.R. 4218, legislation introduced by Reps. Marsha Blackburn, Lamar Smith, Lou Barletta, and Steve DesJarlais. This bill would temporarily halt the refugee resettlement program and ensure that no terrorists or terrorist sympathizers are admitted.
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Reduce immigration and put American workers first!
A new NumbersUSA television ad features civil rights icon Barbara Jordan who chaired the last bi-partisan commission on immigration. The Jordan Commission recommended cutting legal immigration to 550,000 annually. I support the recommendations of the Jordan Commission and urge you to do so as well.
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Fewer U.S.-Born Workers Have Jobs
Newly-released data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that U.S.-born workers lost 320,000 jobs while 306,000 foreign-born workers gained jobs. This is unacceptable and is another example why immigration to the U.S. needs to be reduced. I hope you will help American workers by reducing immigration numbers. Every month, U.S.-born workers are squeezed out of the workplace. The most recent jobs data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics only reinforces this trend. The U.S. currently brings in more than 125,000 new foreign workers each month — that’s more than 1.5 million each year. How can U.S.-born workers hope to compete when many of the newly-created jobs go to foreign-born workers? American workers are struggling and they need Congress’ help. I hope you will help all U.S.-born workers by taking steps to reduce immigration numbers.
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Congress needs to address Cuban immigration, support bill to end special status
We are appalled that Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Mexico can get away with striking an immigration deal that will increase the number of people trying to enter the U.S. illegally! The just-signed agreement allows Costa Rica to fly Cuban illegal aliens to El Salvador, where they will be bused to Mexico. This is absurd and will only encourage more economic migrants from Cuba to try to come to the U.S. illegally. Rep. Paul Gosar’s Ending Special National Origin-Based Immigration Programs for Cubans Act of 2015, H.R. 3818, would scrap the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966 and the “wet foot/dry foot” policy that applies to Cubans entering the country illegally. We hope you will support this legislation.
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Support a refugee moratorium
It is important that you support H.R. 4218, legislation introduced by Reps. Marsha Blackburn, Lamar Smith, Lou Barletta, and Steve DesJarlais. This bill would temporarily halt the refugee resettlement program and ensure that no terrorists or terrorist sympathizers are admitted. Please do all you can to get this bill passed.
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Stop Costa Rica from helping Cubans enter U.S.
We’re disappointed that Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Mexico have struck a deal to send thousands of Cubans who are stranded in Costa Rica to Mexico, via El Salvador. This deal will only encourage more Cubans to try to enter the U.S. illegally and needs to be opposed. he just-passed omnibus spending bill allows aid dollars for El Salvador to be reduced if the country is not certified by the Secretary of State as doing enough to combat illegal immigration. We believe this deal should prevent their certification and we hope you will convey this message to the State Department.
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Reduce immigration and put American workers first
A new NumbersUSA television ad features civil rights icon Barbara Jordan who chaired the last bi-partisan commission on immigration. The Jordan Commission recommended cutting legal immigration to 550,000 annually. I support the recommendations of the Jordan Commission and urge you to do so as well.
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Help end chain migration
Rep. Jody Hice’s Nuclear Family Priority Act, H.R. 604, is a fantastic bill that will help solve America’s immigration problems. Please cosponsor it!
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An insecure sense of security
It’s difficult to know what to make of the report that new Apple Valley mayor Barb Stanton views public safety as one of her top priorities in the wake of the terrorist attack in San Bernardino (“Barb Stanton makes Apple Valley history,” Daily Press, December 10, 2015). Some of Stanton’s previous top priorities have been voting against the Town purchase of the Apple Valley Country Club (for which she voted in favor), keeping government out of business (except where the animal shelter and Ranchos Water Company are involved), transparency in government (except where the Ranchos takeover is concerned), etc.
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Thanks for opposing the sale of U.S. visas
I am glad you wrote an op-ed to highlight the dangers of the EB-5 visa program. I hope you will do all you can to make sure the program is not renewed.
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Syrian refugee resettlement raises major security concerns
I hope you will take a look at the Senate’s recent hearing into the Syrian refugee situation. Multiple Obama administration officials, including FBI Director James Comey, have admitted that there is no way to determine which applicants pose a security threat. Efforts to allocate $1 billion to resettle Syrians in the United States, while well-meaning, are dangerous and should not be supported. The United States’ efforts should focus on helping the millions of Syrians who have fled to Turkey and Jordan.
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Stop Syrian refugee settlement in the U.S.
A new study from the Center for Immigration Studies shows that the U.S. government can help twelve Syrian refugees who remain in the Middle East for every one refugee it relocates to the U.S. I urge you to support U.S. guidelines that advice against relocating refugees long distances and oppose any efforts to fund Syrian refugee resettlement.
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Please stop forcing U.S. population growth
The population of the United States is on track to hit 444 million by 2050. Please reflect on your policies that are causing this detrimental and unsustainable growth.
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Please cosponsor bill revising Cuban immigration
The immigration laws passed by Congress after the Cuban revolution are now being abused by many Cubans to abuse America’s welfare system. Rep. Paul Gosar’s Ending Special National Origin-Based Immigration Programs for Cubans Act of 2015 would end the “wet foot/dry foot” policy and repeal the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966. Please cosponsor this legislation.
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Oppose H-2B visa bill
I hope you will oppose H.R. 3918, legislation to increase H-2B worker numbers. This legislation excludes returning H-2B workers from the annual cap and needs to be opposed.
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Support the bill ending sanctuary cities
Please cosponsor H.R. 3314, the Protecting American Lives Act. Far too many Americans are dying at the hands of illegal aliens who have been arrested, but given sanctuary by sanctuary cities. I hope you will help save American lives by supporting this bill.
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Trump details immigration plan to help American workers
Donald Trump’s plan to reform America’s immigration system to benefit America’s workers is the best of all those running for the White House. I hope you will look at his plan and start working on instituting his proposals in the near future.