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FOXX TAKES LEAD IN FRAMING NATIONAL ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION DEBATE, SOLUTION

Washington, DC, December 6, 2005
United States Rep. Virginia Foxx (N.C.-5) took a lead in the national debate on illegal immigration by joining just three original co-sponsors to the major immigration reform bill being introduced in Congress. Today Rep. Foxx joined House Ju

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Amy Auth
202-225-2071

United States Rep. Virginia Foxx (N.C.-5) took a lead in the national debate on illegal immigration by joining just three original co-sponsors to the major immigration reform bill being introduced in Congress. Today Rep. Foxx joined House Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. in introducing H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. The bill aims to strengthen American borders, crack down on those who hire illegal aliens, increase the punishment for those who smuggle people into our country illegally and allow for the swift deportation of illegal aliens. The House is expected to debate and vote on the bill next week.

“We cannot have a secure nation without secure borders,” said Rep. Foxx. “Controlling illegal immigration begins with the enforcement of current laws and the elimination of incentives to immigrate illegally. Illegal aliens should be caught and removed – not simply caught and released, and those who knowingly employ illegals must be held accountable and face real, stiff consequences. Our nation's security is at risk and nothing else is more important.”

H.R. 4437 includes key provisions that:

  • Institute employment eligibility verification systems that will check Social Security numbers and alien identification numbers against Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security databases to ensure that potential employees are legal citizens.
  • Increase civil and criminal penalties for knowingly hiring or employing an illegal worker.
  • Empower local sheriffs in the 29 counties along the southern border to enforce immigration laws and collaborate with Federal law enforcement.
  • Stiffen penalties for illegal alien smuggling, including mandatory minimum sentences.
  • Increase DHS authority for long term detention and for strengthened removal process.
  • Establish tougher penalties for illegal aliens who re-enter the United States after being deported.

“The Pew Hispanic Center estimates that over 300,000 illegal aliens live in North Carolina. These individuals are breaking the law and their behavior should not be tolerated or rewarded. I will continue to do everything in my power to protect against unlawful entry into our country,” said Rep. Foxx.

The text of H.R. 4437 is available at: http://judiciary.house.gov/media/pdfs/SENSEN_104_XML.pdf.

A section by section summary is available at: http://judiciary.house.gov/media/pdfs/immbillsection.pdf.

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