Issue Position: Immigration Reform & Border Security

Issue Position

Issue Position: Immigration Reform & Border Security

Immigration Reform & Border Security
Our nation's immigration and border security system is badly broken. It leaves our borders unprotected, threatens our national security, and makes a mockery of the rule of law. The system has suffered from years of neglect, and in a post-9/11 world, we cannot tolerate this situation any longer. National security demands a comprehensive solution to our immigration system -- and that means both stronger enforcement and reasonable reform of our immigration laws. We must solve this problem -- and solve it now."

-- Senator John Cornyn

As the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee's Immigration, Refugees and Border Security Subcommittee, Senator Cornyn has led the fight to restore integrity to our immigration system and secure America's borders. He has chaired or co-chaired almost a dozen hearings on border security and immigration reform. His advocacy has resulted in thousands of new agents at the borders, increased assistance and funding for state and local efforts, and stronger worksite enforcement initiatives. He continues to lead the effort in the 111th Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation.

Senator Cornyn's Accomplishments Include:

* Sponsored the Comprehensive Enforcement and Immigration Reform Act of 2005: At the time, this was the most comprehensive immigration reform bill to be introduced in the Senate during the 109th Congress. Many of the immigration principles and proposals that passed the Senate and the House during the 109th Congress were first introduced in Senator Cornyn's legislation.
* Cosponsored the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program Reauthorization Bill: This legislation authorized funding to reimburse state and local governments for incarceration costs related to illegal aliens. In 2004, Texas received $24.7 million under SCAAP. In 2005, Senator Cornyn worked to increase the funding and was successful in obtaining $26.5 million for Texas.
* Led Effort to Reimburse State & Local Governments for Health & Education Costs: Successfully added an amendment to the Senate-passed immigration bill that would impose a surcharge on any illegal alien who applies for legal status. The funds collected by this fee would be used to provide financial assistance to state and local governments for health and education services caused by years of illegal immigration.
* Modification to Western Hemisphere Travel Document Initiative: Chaired the first hearing to explore the impact of the Administration's proposed passport document requirements on the Texas economy. As a result of his advocacy, Congress moved the implementation date back 18 months.
* Laser Visa Extension: Led efforts to extend the allowable length of stay for Mexican nationals entering the U.S. with Laser Visa border crossing cards from 72 hours to 30 days, and sponsored legislation to extend the stays for up to six months, similar to the permissible length of stay requirement for Canadians.

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