The RAISE Act: An Immigration Bill that Finally Gives Inside. . . American Families a Break

Trump Hits the Ground hile President Trump’s execu- (R-Ga.), would overhaul our nation’s

Running on Immigration tive orders, aimed at undoing legal immigration system and cut ad- PAGE 2 Wmuch of the damage inflicted missions by about half. The RAISE Act Border Security an on our immigration system during the would abolish the nepotistic family Executive Priority past eight years, have grabbed national chain migration system that has been PAGE 4 attention. A bill introduced in the U.S. in place for more than half a century Across The Country Senate on February 7 would have the most and replace it with one that selects new PAGE 5 significant and positive effect on reforming immigrants based on individual merit. the nation’s immigration policy. According to its sponsors, the RAISE The Ins and Outs of the The proposed Reforming American Act is intended to protect the interests Travel Ban PAGE 6 Immigration for Strong Employment of American workers, particularly lower Act (RAISE Act), introduced by Senators skilled American workers who have been Secretary Kelly’s Picks (R-Ark.) and harmed by mass immigration, as well as the for Key Immigration continued on page 3 Enforcement Positions PAGE 7 The Public Supports Trump Actions on Immigration

or all the Sturm und Drang over FPresident Trump’s temporary admis- sion ban for citizens of seven terror prone nations, his policy has been met with wide support from the American public. According to a National Consult/ poll, conducted a week after the executive

25 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, NW order was signed, 54 percent of registered SUITE 330 voters approved of the admissions pause WASHINGTON, DC 20001 compared with 38 percent who disap- (202) 328 7004 proved of it. Thirty-five percent of those [email protected] VISIT US ON THE WEB AT surveyed indicated that they “strongly WWW.FAIRUS.ORG support” the president’s policy.

continued on page 3 2 FAIR IMMIGRATION REPORT MARCH 2017 3

FAIR Defends: Trump Uses His “Pen and Phone” TRUMP continued to Restore Some Immigration Enforcement Similarly, the poll found strong with 42 percent who opposed it. and other measures. In fact, his support for Trump’s executive order The president’s executive orders immigration enforcement directive resident Trump got right to denying federal funds to sanctuary on immigration were by far the most proved to be more popular than Pwork fulfilling his campaign jurisdictions. Fifty-five percent of popular of those signed during his first Trump himself who enjoyed a slim pledges to restore the integrity of voters supported the action versus 33 two weeks in office. These included 47 percent approval to 46 percent immigration enforcement. Under the percent who opposed it. A plurality of his scrapping of the Trans Pacific disapproval rating after his first two guise of setting “priorities,” former voters, 48 percent, indicated support Partnership, his plans to repeal the weeks as president. President Obama effectively placed for construction of the wall along Affordable Care Act, approval of con- about 87 percent (according to the the U.S.-Mexico border, compared struction of the Keystone XL Pipeline Migration Policy Institute) of all immigration law violators off-limits to enforcement. RAISE Act continued On January 25, President Trump and adult children. These preference According to models created by pro- made a visit to the headquarters of the point where it rendered many im- to receive Federal grants, except as categories not only dominate the fessors at Princeton and Harvard Department of Homeland Security migration laws meaningless. “From deemed necessary for law enforcement current immigration flow, but also Universities, overall admissions would (DHS), where he signed “Enhancing here on out, I’m asking all of you to purposes.” Moreover, the order states create ever-increasing demand for decline from about 1 million annually Public Safety in the Interior of the enforce the laws of the United States of explicitly that, “it is the policy of the higher levels of immigration. Elderly to 638,000 in the first year, and level United States,” an executive order America — they will be enforced, and executive branch to ensure, to the fullest parents who require the care of U.S. out at about 540,000 within a decade. directing executive departments and enforced strongly,” President Trump extent of the law” that all jurisdictions citizen children would be eligible for Most importantly, the RAISE agencies to employ all lawful means told the assembled Immigration and in the United States comply with the admission on renewable temporary Act would restore public interests to enforce Federal immigration laws. Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, law prohibiting sanctuary policies. visas. However, these parents would objectives for U.S. immigration policy This executive order effectively put Border Patrol officers, and other law The threat of withholding federal Senators Cotton and Perdue be barred from employment and along the lines of what FAIR has an end to Obama-era policies that enforcement personnel. “We do not grants puts teeth into this executive holding a press conference. public benefits, and the sponsoring advocated for decades. Immigrants gutted immigration enforcement, need new laws. We will work within order. It will also be up to Congress impact of globalization and mechani- children would have to guarantee — without regard to race, ethnicity, punished State and local governments the existing system and framework.” to include specific language in appro- zation. Currently, only about one in support and private health insurance. or national origin — would be ad- that attempted to enforce immigra- The Enhancing Public Safety priations measures barring sanctuary every 15 immigrants legally admitted The bill would also abolish the mitted based on an objective assess- tion laws, and stretched the concept in the Interior of the United States jurisdictions from receiving other to the United States is selected based mindless ment of their likelihood to succeed of “prosecutorial discretion” to a executive order addresses the fol- types of federal funds. Congressional on his or her skills. The unending Program Lottery, which annually economically and assimilate into the lowing issues: leaders previously balked at defunding “influx of low-skilled labor has been admits 55,000 applicants who are American mainstream. The people sanctuary jurisdictions because of Sanctuary Jurisdictions a major factor in the downward randomly drawn. In addition, the admitted would complement the a likely veto by President Obama. pressure on the wages of working legislation would cap refugee resettle- existing labor force, not compete with Federal law explicitly prohibits President Trump has indicated clearly Americans, with the wages of recent ment at 50,000 a year — a generous it. Moreover, cutting admissions by sanctuary policies that impede co- that he will sign such measures. operation between federal, state, immigrants hardest hit,” noted Cotton level in line with admissions during 50 percent would significantly slow and local officials when it comes to the Rolling Back Obama-era Non- and Perdue. Since the 1970s, American most of the Obama presidency. population growth in the United sending, requesting, maintaining, or enforcement Policies workers with less than a high school Enactment of the RAISE Act States to more sustainable levels. exchanging of information regarding a While maintaining priority for diploma have seen their real wages would also restore overall immigra- person’s immigration status. Some 300 removing violent criminals and others — wages that have been adjusted tion levels to historic norms, in line jurisdictions across the United States who pose security risks, the Trump for inflation — decline by nearly 20 with the recommendations made by FAIR will continue to maintain some form of sanctuary administration ended Obama policies percent. the bipartisan Jordan Commission its work educate the policy. The president’s order gives the that exempted entire classes of immi- The RAISE Act would limit during the 1990s. The elimination of American public and build Attorney General and DHS Secretary gration lawbreakers from enforcement family-based migration to nuclear extended family preferences would broad-based support the authority to ensure “that juris- and removal. In order to ensure that families — spouses and unmarried result in a 41 percent reduction in for these long overdue dictions that willfully refuse to comply ICE has the capacity to carry out minor children — and eliminate legal immigration admissions in the reforms to our legal with [federal statutes] are not eligible preferences for parents, adult siblings, first year and a 50 percent reduction immigration system. continued on page 4 from current levels within 10 years. 4 FAIR IMMIGRATION REPORT MARCH 2017 5

IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT continued Program which identified deportable administration dramatically rewrote aliens who were arrested for other the rules for participation and con- offenses by local law enforcement. strained its use by local jurisdictions. Across was replaced by President Trump’s executive order the ineffective Priority Enforcement restores the program as it was in- the Country Program, which shielded all but tended by Congress to allow local the most dangerous criminal aliens jurisdictions to assist in immigration Texas from deportation. By restoring Secure enforcement. Communities, ICE will be able to Cutting off funds to sanctuary jurisdictions is not just a position being taken by the Trump administration. Countries that Refuse to Accept issue detainer requests for and take Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has put local jurisdictions across the state on notice that policies that provide Return of their Citizens custody of a much larger group of sanctuary to illegal aliens will cost them much needed state funds. Travis County, which includes the reasonable levels of enforcement in deportable criminal aliens. There are approximately 250,000 state capital Austin, is the first jurisdiction in Texas to pay a price — $1.5 million to be precise — for the interior of the country, the execu- aliens with final orders of deporta- policies that encourage illegal immigration. Gov. Abbott took this action after Travis County Sheriff tive order calls for the hiring of an Reinstitution of the 287(g) Program tion — including some 60,000 with Sally Hernandez announced that the county jail would not comply with detainer requests issued by the additional 10,000 law enforcement In 1996, Congress established criminal records — who cannot be federal government. The governor also threw his support behind SB 4, sponsored by Senator Charles officers. the 287(g) Program which allows returned to their countries of origin Perry, which prohibits Texas localities and campuses from implementing sanctuary policies, requires local police and sheriff’s departments because those governments refuse to law enforcement to comply with ICE detainers, and imposes liability on localities that release aliens Reinstitution of the Secure to receive federal training to lawfully accept them. Under President Trump’s from custody in defiance of a detainer request. In early February, SB 4 was approved by the Senate Communities Program identify and detain deportable aliens. executive order, these recalcitrant Committee on State Affairs by a 7-2 majority. A vote by the full Texas State Senate had not occurred In November 2014, DHS got rid Even though this was a program governments could face a cutoff of by the deadline for this edition of the FAIR newsletter. of the effective Secure Communities established by Congress, the Obama new visas issued to their citizens. Florida President Trump’s threat to cutoff federal funds to sanctuary jurisdictions saw its first success just one day after the president signed his executive order. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez ordered county Trump Promises Action on Border Wall jails to comply with ICE detainer requests, reversing a policy that had been in place since 2013. Miami had never formally declared itself a sanctuary jurisdiction, but had refused to detain inmates because it ne of ’s signature campaign pledges claimed that holding some 100 inmates sought by ICE would have cost the city $52,000. In explaining Owas the construction of a wall along key stretches his decision, Mayor Gimenez stated, “I want to make sure we don’t put in jeopardy the millions of funds of the U.S.-Mexico border. During his first week as we get from the federal government for a $52,000 issue.” (On Feb. 8, the city of Dayton, Ohio, became president, Trump took an important step toward fulfilling the second jurisdiction to choose federal cash over maintaining sanctuary policies.) that promise when he signed the “Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements” executive order. The order not only makes good on his own campaign California promise, but on a promise made to the American people California is already a sanctuary state. There are laws in place that severely limit the circumstances under by Congress in 2006 when they passed the Secure Fence which police and sheriffs’ departments are permitted to honor ICE detainers. The state issues driver’s Act. (That bill was supported by then-Senators Barack licenses to illegal aliens. It offers in-state tuition subsidies and state grants to illegal aliens to offset the costs Obama, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton and current Minority of higher education. But just in case it wasn’t clear enough, California legislators are poised to approve Leader Chuck Schumer.) SB 54, described by its sponsor, Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon as border-to-border sanctuary The executive order defines “wall” to mean a con- for illegal aliens. The bill cleared its first legislative hurdle winning approval from the (ironically named) tiguous, physical wall or other similarly secure contigu- Senate Public Safety Committee by a vote of 5-2. Gov. Jerry Brown has not indicated if he will sign the bill ous and impassable physical barrier. To implement the federal agencies to identity all the sources or direct and if it reaches his desk, but he did defiantly declare in his State of the State address that California will do building of the wall, funds currently available for the indirect foreign aid to Mexico for the past five years. everything in its power to protect illegal aliens against federal immigration enforcement, even at the risk of wall will be used and then a long-term budget will be In addition to the construction of physical barriers losing federal dollars at a time when the state is projecting a $1.6 billion budget shortfall. developed for Congressional approval. The president also to impede illegal entrants, the Trump executive order

directed the heads of each executive department and continued on page 6 6 FAIR IMMIGRATION REPORT MARCH 2017 7

Border wall continued Key Immigration Positions in Trump Administration Filled makes it more difficult for people To further enhance border security, barring entry of people who had to abuse our political asylum system the executive order calls for hiring previously violated immigration laws n contrast to the political appointees who filled the top immigration enforcement roles in the Obama administration by making fraudulent “credible fear” and training an additional 5,000 and even to grant a backdoor amnesty Iwho often displayed open hostility to the laws they were sworn to uphold, President Trump and Homeland Security claims. More broadly, it attempts to Border Patrol agents and the con- to some illegal aliens. Secretary John Kelly are filling those posts with people who believe in upholding our nation’s immigration laws. end Obama-era “catch-and-release” struction of additional detention By implementing these steps to Among those named to key immigration positions at DHS are: policies under which inadmissible facilities to hold unlawful entrants carry out the promises made in the aliens were released into the United who were being routinely released 2006 Secure Fence Act and elim- Thomas Homan, ICE Director. Homan is a 33-year veteran of law enforcement and States, under a variety of pretexts, with by the Obama administration. inating catch-and-release policies, has nearly 30 years of immigration enforcement experience. He has served as an NYPD little expectation that they would The Border Security and Immi- the Trump administration aims to officer; a U.S. Border Patrol agent; a special agent with the former U.S. Immigration appear for future hearings. To halt gration Enforcement Improvements discourage people from attempting and Naturalization Service; as well as supervisory special agent and deputy assistant these abuses, the president’s order order also reins in the use of parole to enter the United States illegally. director for investigations at ICE. mandates detention for all aliens to allow otherwise inadmissible aliens Deterring illegal entry is the most Since 2013, Homan has served as the executive associate director of ICE Enforcement pending the outcome of their removal to legally remain in the U.S. This effective way of securing our borders. and Removal Operations (ERO). In this capacity, he led ICE’s efforts to identify, arrest, proceedings or removal from the authority was abused by the Obama detain, and remove illegal aliens, including those who present a danger to national country. administration to circumvent laws security or are a risk to public safety, as well as those who enter the United States illegally or otherwise undermine the integrity of federal immigration laws and border control efforts.

Ronald Vitiello, Border Patrol Chief. Vitiello has more than 30 years of Border Trump Orders Pause in Admissions from Terror-Prone Nations Patrol experience, including a stint as Acting Chief from December 1, 2015 until July 20, 2016, when he was appointed Executive Assistant Commissioner for Operations Support. ormer President Obama’s top national security advisors Vitiello has front-line experience in protecting the country’s borders, Throughout his Ftestified on several occasions that the screening distinguished career, he has held numerous leadership positions within the U.S. Border procedures for refugees — particularly those from war-torn Patrol. Also, unlike his Obama-appointed predecessor, Vitiello has the respect of the men Syria — were inadequate to ensure the safety of the and women he will be leading. Brandon Judd, the president of the National Border Patrol American people. The outgoing Obama administration Council, the union which represents Border Patrol agents, issued a statement saying that also compiled a list of seven countries of concern with although he does not always see eye-to-eye with Vitiello, he believes the new Border Patrol regard to international terrorism. Chief shares the rank and file’s desire to secure our borders and enforce our laws. The former president largely ignored those concerns and, in fact, increased the inflow of refugees from Syria. However, upon assuming office, President Trump decided admissions continued to act on the security concerns raised by his predecessor’s national security team. During his first week in office, ful ideologies. The beliefs of people order (TRO) preventing the gov- enter the United States. Moreover, President Trump issued a directive halting the admission 1.6 billion Muslims are not affected by these temporary who belong to, or identify with radi- ernment from carrying it out. The the president’s right to bar admissions of citizens of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia restrictions on admission to the United States. The coun- cal Islamic terror groups clearly fit Trump administration immediately of certain foreign nationals has been and Yemen for 90 days. In addition, he implemented a tries covered by the president’s order were placed on the within the definition of ideologues appealed that ruling before the Ninth repeatedly affirmed by the Supreme 120-day pause in refugee resettlement (perhaps longer list because they are known to sponsor or support terror- that should be kept from entering Circuit Court of Appeals. A three- Court. for Syrian nationals), while security officials develop ism, or because terrorist organizations like ISIS, al-Shabab, the United States. The temporary judge panel of the Ninth Curcuit Regardless of the legal wrangling, better screening procedures. Importantly, the refugees and al-Qaeda operate from within their borders. In other pause in admissions will allow for Court of Appeals upheld the lower the Trump administration is moving whose admission to the United States would be delayed words, they pose security risks. improvements in the screening process court’s ruling. forward with a review of the screening by the president’s order continue to receive protection by FAIR categorically opposes restrictions on immigra- which are necessary to provide rea- FAIR and its legal affiliate, the process for the admission of refugees, the United Nations and other international humanitar- tion or admission of people based on characteristics such sonable protection to the American Immigration Reform Law Institute, immigrants and visitors so that only ian organizations. as religion, race, ethnicity or national origin. However, public. believe that the president has clear those who do not pose security risks, The president’s actions were widely and erroneously throughout our history, the United States has restricted Within days of issuing this legal authority to bar the admission of or otherwise abuse the terms of their reported as being a ban on Muslims entering the United the admission of people who adhere to violent or hate- executive order, a federal judge in foreign nationals. There is no guar- admission to the United States, can States. In fact, the vast majority of the world’s estimated Seattle issued a temporary restraining anteed right of any noncitizen to be allowed to enter the country. continued on NEXT PAGE I am making my donation by check payable to FAIR, or credit card (check one).

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