Statements On Introduced Bills And Joint Resolutions

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS -- (Senate - January 29, 2007)

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By Mr. CORNYN (for himself and Mrs. HUTCHISON):

S. 422. A bill to authorize any alien who has been issued a valid machine-readable biometric border crossing identification card to be temporarily admitted into the United States upon successfully completing a background check; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President. I rise today to introduce the Secure Border Crossing Card Entry Act of 2007. This bill allows certain travelers who seek to enter the U.S. temporarily and have already undergone rigorous security screening prior to entry and at the border, to enter our country and remain for up to 6 months.

We all agree that comprehensive immigration reform is a top priority this year--not only for the administration but also for Congress. I have stated that no effort on immigration reform can succeed without enhanced border security and worksite enforcement. We have been working hard to ramp up our border and interior enforcement efforts. Just last year, Congress dedicated approximately $1.3 billion in last years Homeland Security Appropriations bill targeted at enhanced border security. I am pleased that the President and Secretary Chertoff have made border security a top priority this year as well.

Strong border security, however, must be balanced against policies that facilitate legitimate trade and travel to the U.S. The security of our Nation is always paramount. But we also must ensure that the U.S. remains an economic leader and a welcoming nation for visitors who seek to enjoy the many business and recreational benefits that the U.S. has to offer.

We have in place now a program that allows visitors who possess a machine-readable border crossing card, also known as the ``laser visa,' to enter this country for up to 30 days. The laser visa is issued by the State Department to Mexican nationals, but only after they have been screened and determined not to be a security risk or inadmissible to the U.S. Laser visa holders are screened again when they come to our borders and are inspected by an immigration inspector.

Canadian visitors, on the other hand, are not required to get a laser visa from the State Department prior to seeking to enter the U.S. Canadian visitors also can remain in the U.S. for up to 6 months initially. I see no reason that we should treat citizens and nationals of our northern neighbor differently from our southern neighbor.

The goal of this bill is to treat all citizens and nationals of our northern and southern neighbors seeking to temporarily visit the U.S. the same--allowing them to temporarily visit or conduct business in the U.S. for up to 6 months. And, because laser visa holders must undergo background checks before they are issued their secure travel documents, this policy change would not conflict with our country's goal of improving border security.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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