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Posted by: Marc Demshock
Illegal Immigration on the Political Backburner?

Is the illegal immigration issue on the political backburner? A recent Houston Chronicle article says that illegal immigration is no longer a hot-button issue, and it resides in the shadows of political discourse. By analyzing, the presidential candidates and the mainstream media one would agree that immigration is positioned in the shadows.

However, despite the mainstream media’s disdain for securing America’s borders  and the presidential candidates unwillingness to debate the issue, real illegal immigration reform is taking place.

Both Congress and the States have taken the initiative to crack down on illegal immigration. After Grassfire.org broke the “Secure Fence Hoax”, key members of Congress took action in an effort to “undo” what the Hutchison amendment did, by restoring deadlines and the double fence mandates for the entire 854 miles of border. Two bills introduced in Congress demand that the government makes good on their original promise to build the border fence: 1)Fence by Date Certain Act (H.R. 4987), submitted by Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC). and 2) Reinstatement of the Secure Fence Act of 2008 (H.R. 5124) sponsored by Congressman Duncan Hunter.  

Grassfire has stamped its seal of approval on both of these bills and a petition of support is available to sign here.

As mentioned in a previous blog, Republican Senators rolled out a package of bills to stop illegal immigration and secure the borders. The caucus of Republican Senators includes  David Vitter (La.), James DeMint (S.C.), Jeff Sessions (Ala.), James Inhofe (Okla.), Elizabeth Dole (N.C.), Saxby Chambliss (Ga.), Johnny Isakson (Ga.), Richard Burr (N.C.), and Roger Wicker (Miss.). The U.S. Senate Border Security & Enforcement First Caucus’  primary goal is to “promote a true, achievable alternative: attrition through enforcement and border security.” “Living illegally in the United States will become more difficult and less satisfying over time when the government—at all levels—enforces all of the laws already on the books."

Each bill presents a significant and precise step towards immigration reform. Specifically the provisions call for:

--mandatory minimum jail time for illegals entering the U.S.
--allowing DHS to use SSN "no match" letters as evidence
--worksite enforcement act of 2008
--Complete the Fence Act
--No COPS funding for sanctuary cities
--National Language Act: makes English national language and eliminates entitlement of getting govt. docs printed in other languages
--extending role of National Guard at the border
--discourage and penalize states that still make it easy for illegals to get driver's licenses.

Following in suit, the House has introduced additional measures to stop illegal immigration. Rep. Steve King (R-IA) has reintroduced the Illegal Deduction Elimination Act, also known as the New IDEA Act. This act makes wages and benefits paid to illegal aliens non-deductable for federal tax purposes. This bill is serious about leveling the playing field for law-abiding employers and cracking down on illegal labor. MORE HERE (find where it is posted on fire society)

Rep. Heath Shuler (D- N.C.) introduced the SAVE Act (H.R. 4088), which emphasizes the principles of Attrition Through Enforcement. Press Release Here

Along with Congress, the states have picked up the slack where the federal government has failed.  For example, the sun doesn’t shine on illegal aliens in the SunShine State.

Florida State Rep. Gayle Harrell(R-81) has taken action to make life in the sunshine state harder for illegal aliens.  The Florida Safe Borders Act of 2008 (HB 821) cracks down on both illegal aliens and their employers by empowering state and local officials to investigate and report illegal aliens and their employers.

Is the illegal immigration debate on the backburner? It may not be in the forefront of the presidential candidates’ or the mainstream media’s minds. However, the illegal immigration issue is alive and kicking in Congress, the states, and every American citizen who suffers because of illegal immigration.