Tag: Senator Barbara Boxer

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.

Greg Raven, Apple Valley, CA

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. Every nonimmigrant visa that the United States issues contains a departure date by which foreign visitors must leave the country. But all too often, this date is ignored, and there is no system in place to identify and locate foreign visitors who overstay their visas. An automated entry-and-exit screening system for foreign visitors was passed by Congress in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996. Since then, Congress has approved funding on seven different occasions, but three presidents, Pres. Clinton, Bush, and Obama have failed to implement the system. It’s not an exaggeration to say that had a biometric entry-exit system been in place in 2001, the 9/11 attacks could have been prevented. I urge you to begin taking our national security and the integrity of our immigration system seriously by doing all you can to ensure implementation of a biometric entry-exit system at all ports of entry.

Greg Raven, Apple Valley, CA

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.

Greg Raven, Apple Valley, CA

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. Continue reading Stop Costa Rica from helping Cubans enter U.S.

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. Continue reading Reduce immigration and put American workers first