Hutchison's (R-TX) Response to Senate Immigration Bill (Vanity)

Email Response from Kay Bailey Hutchison ^ | 5-18-07 | Kay Bailey Hutchison

[AlmaKing]

Dear (AlmaKing):

Thank you for contacting me regarding illegal immigration in the United States. I welcome your thoughts and comments on this issue.

Congress substantially revised our nation's immigration laws in 1996, including the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, expanding the Border Patrol, imposing significant penalties on immigrant smugglers, and establishing expedited deportation procedures. In the wake of the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, we have been forced to reexamine our immigration laws and policies in order to eliminate vulnerabilities in our national security while continuing to meet the intent of the Constitution and the demands of international commerce.

Since 2001, Congress has addressed many immigration and border security concerns in the USA PATRIOT Act, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, and the REAL ID Act of 2005. Key provisions have included a systematic plan to monitor the southern border with unmanned aerial vehicles, authorization for an increase in the number of personnel devoted to enforcing immigration laws, and requirements that all applicants for state-issued identification and drivers' licenses prove their lawful presence in the United States.

In October 2005, I introduced S. 1823, the Illegal Immigration Enforcement and Empowerment Act, which would grant state and local officials expanded authority to arrest, detain and prosecute illegal aliens. The legislation would have created a Volunteer Border Marshal Program. In addition, I met with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to discuss broad immigration reform measures and the new provisions outlined in my bill. I also led Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) on a tour along the U.S.-Mexico border in the Rio Grande Valley to highlight the need for more agents, technology and funding to secure our borders. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have worked hard to secure more than $322 million in additional appropriations over the past year for border security, including funding for 1,500 new Border Patrol agents (bringing the total number to 14,819 Border Patrol agents), 50 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigators, 168 detention officers, and almost 2,000 detention beds. To this date, we have ended catch and release and accelerated the deportation process. I strongly supported provisions for an additional $1.9 billion in immediate funding for border security to cover the first 1,000 of 6,000 new Border Patrol agents who will be deployed to the border in the next two years. These funds, as provided in the Fiscal Year 2006 Emergency Supplemental appropriations bill, will assist with the temporary deployment of up to 6,000 National Guard troops aiding the Border Patrol with surveillance and logistics. Though S. 1823 was not considered by the full Senate prior to the adjournment of the 109th Congress, I understand that more needs to be done.

The United States has one of the most open immigration policies in the world, and I am aware of the important contributions our immigrants make to our nation. Temporary work visas play an important role in ensuring U.S. companies have the workers they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. However, U.S. immigration policy must ensure American workers have every opportunity to compete for available jobs. In the areas of our economy where voids of talent and skills exist, we need to invest the resources necessary to fill those gaps. For example, I believe we need to increase our country's skills in the areas of math and science, and in 2006 I cosponsored an amendment to the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2006 to assist in this effort by increasing our funding for Advanced Placement courses.

I support the development of a guest worker program that would allow foreign nationals to work in the United States in industries where labor is in critical demand. For this reason, I have been joined by Representative Mike Pence (R-IN) in proposing a new visa category. Our proposal would create the Secure Borders, Good Neighbors and Secure Authorized Foreign Employees (SAFE) Visa program. The program would grant visas to authorized nationals of NAFTA or CAFTA-DR countries who receive employment offers in job areas in the United States that have been certified by the Secretary of Labor as having a shortage of workers. The Good Neighbor SAFE Visa is a positive step in the right direction. This plan puts border security first and addresses those who knowingly hire illegal workers, but it also recognizes the need for a temporary worker program that operates without amnesty and harnesses the power of the private sector to avoid creating a huge new government bureaucracy.

I believe that granting citizenship or lawful permanent residence status to those who entered our country illegally would only encourage others to break our laws in the future. For these reasons, I opposed amnesty provisions set forth in the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006. I voted against S. 2611 because I believe that any legislation addressing immigration must first address the safety and security needs of the United States. In a world where terrorists continue to seek to harm Americans, we must protect our citizens. We have every right to know who is in our country, who has crossed our borders, and the purpose and the length of the visit. We are negligent if we do not know these things.

The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 was passed by the Senate on May 25, 2006, by a 62 to 36 vote. Though S. 2611 passed the Senate, it was not considered by the House of Representatives prior to the adjournment of the 109th Congress. I will keep your views in mind as the Senate continues to consider this important issue in the 110th Congress.

I appreciate hearing from you and hope you will not hesitate to keep in touch on any issue of concern to you.

Sincerely, Kay Bailey Hutchison

[AlmaKing]

This is the email response I received from Kay Bailey Hutchison's office when I emailed my opposition to this Senate immigration bill. I figured it is her fullest response I've seen. Yes, it's probably a form letter type response, but it clarifies her positions.

Moderator - I could not figure out what to put in the source field, so I put in her office link.

[mnehring]

Key paragraph re Kay's opinion:

I believe that granting citizenship or lawful permanent residence status to those who entered our country illegally would only encourage others to break our laws in the future. For these reasons, I opposed amnesty provisions set forth in the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006. I voted against S. 2611 because I believe that any legislation addressing immigration must first address the safety and security needs of the United States. In a world where terrorists continue to seek to harm Americans, we must protect our citizens. We have every right to know who is in our country, who has crossed our borders, and the purpose and the length of the visit. We are negligent if we do not know these things.

[TexasCajun]

I called a couple of her TX. offices yesterday and faxed her DC office.

Glad to see she heeded my advise!

[nralife]

It’s still not clear to me. Where does she stand on the “2007” bill??

[mnehring]

We probably need to start making lists of who opposes the bill, like Kay.

The key is not just removing our support from those who support the bill, but also reward those who oppose the bill.

[Republicus2001]

What if the criminal aliens, crooks, terrorists and narco-gangsters don’t want amnesty? Why should they? Wouldn’t they have to pay taxes? How can you force criminals to become citizens? Why would you? If these people really wanted to be real citizens they wouldn’t use phony ID’s.

NO AMNESTY for Employers or Employees!

[deport]

Here is her statement from her web site on the proposed bill. It isn't as detailed as the email you received.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 17, 2007
CONTACT: Geoff Embler or Jamie Loftus

Sen. Hutchison Issues Statement on Immigration Agreement

WASHINGTON -- Today Texas’ Senior Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee (RPC), issued the following statement regarding the announced agreement on proposed immigration legislation:

“Having participated in many of the negotiations, I believe this immigration agreement has many good elements and represents a genuine effort to address a very difficult and troubling issue. While we have not seen the text of the bill, we will closely review it.

“First, we must ensure that the border is once and for all secured and that effective interior enforcement measures are in place.

“I want to be certain that temporary workers enter the country with tamper-proof ID cards and employers have a system by which they can verify their identity. For efficiency, I also want to ensure the private sector is utilized in administering a temporary worker program.

“I hope to be able to devise a system in which undocumented workers currently in the U.S. return to their home country and apply for legal re-entry. In a two-year period, and with proper processing in place, this should be achievable.

“I want to see how Social Security benefits are addressed. With its long-term solvency in question, it is important that credit be given only to those who earn their benefits legally.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to ensure we pass a sensible, workable immigration reform bill and do not repeat the mistakes of decades of failed policy.”

--END--

[nralife]

Um huh... I knew people were praising her too soon. Keep the pressure up!

[engrpat]

I received the same response. KBH is a real loose cannon and we must stay on her case otherwise she will go to the dark side. I do not trust her. I will call her office in DC and locally on Monday just to let them know we are watching, reading and listening.

[Shermy]

“Where does she stand on the “2007” bill??”

If she said, “How the heck should I know, I haven’t seen it yet!”

That would be one of the more honest answers around.

[AlmaKing]

Yep. No specific mention of this bill yet.

[AlmaKing]

Ok, yes, that looks like the most specific she is going to get right now.

How can a Senate bill like this be proposed then publicised before all the senators screen it? I guess that’s standard procedure.

[deport]

Senator Cornyn's statement..... This brings the statements of both Texas Senators to your thread....

Cornyn Statement On Immigration Reform Announcement

Thursday, May 17, 2007

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, made the following statement today regarding the announcement by Senator Kennedy and others that an agreement has been reached on comprehensive immigration reform legislation:

“While I appreciate the hard work by my colleagues as we spent countless hours negotiating this very difficult issue, I have serious concerns with the principles outlined in today’s announcement. 

“I simply cannot, and will not, support any legislation that repeats the mistakes of the 1986 amnesty.  So we have to make a basic determination:  Will this bill restore respect for our laws?  Or will it have the opposite effect, and encourage still more disregard for our immigration and border security laws,  placing us within a few years in the same untenable position we’re now in?” 

“I believe today’s announcement is somewhat premature because specific legislative text has yet to be drafted on a number of key details.  Until I have the opportunity to review this text, I will withhold from making more detailed comments.  Clearly, however, there will be an opportunity to introduce amendments to this legislation, and I expect there will be a number of areas where that will be necessary.” 

[ol' hoghead]

I received the same email yeaterday.

[Goreknowshowtocheat]

I want the SS section fixed. It will bankrupt us if it is not fixed. She does mention it, but with 60% sub-educated in the 20 million legalized it will bankrupt SS and kill the economy.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Call/email/write/fax and say NO to Amnesty!!

U.S. Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121

U.S. House switchboard: (202) 225-3121

White House comments: (202) 456-1111

Find your House Rep.: http://www.house.gov/writerep

Find your US Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[TADSLOS]

Boilerplate Dodgeball.

[Ben Ficklin]

KBH mentions in her e-mail(3rd ppg from bottom) to Alma that she supported the Pence Plan last year. She also announced last week that if the recent negotiations fell thru, she would re-introduce the Pence Plan.

Since the Pence Plan and this latest compromise both utilize the "Touch-Back" solution to the illegals, it is likely she will support this latest attempt. But, as she mentions in #7, she wants to see the details.

[Lord Basil]

It’s the same email I received from her over two weeks ago following my email to her. FWIW, here’s Sen. Cornyn’s response received less than two weeks ago):

Dear <>:

Thank you for contacting me about immigration reform. The need to fix our broken system is clear, and I appreciate having the benefit of your insight on one of the most important issues in recent memory.

Immigration reform ultimately must be about improving legal immigration, not about creating a new process that benefits only illegal aliens. Although we are a nation of immigrants, we are also a nation of laws. If all immigrants must abide by the rule of law and are treated equally, then we can reach a consensus on ways to improve the legal process so that it meets the needs of society, the economy, and our national security.

In July 2005, as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Border Security, Immigration, and Citizenship, I worked closely with Arizona Senator Jon Kyl to formulate the Comprehensive Enforcement and Immigration Reform Act of 2005 (S. 1438). This legislation offers no amnesty but includes provisions to strengthen border security, ensure jobsite enforcement, and sensibly handle the undocumented population currently living within our borders. It is based on both the rule of law and the fundamental American principle of fairness.

Unfortunately, the Senate passed the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 (S. 2611) by a vote of 62 to 36 during the 109th Congress. I voted against this bill because it has serious flaws and would result in a net loss for our country. During the Senate debate I tried to improve the legislation in preparation for its consideration by a House-Senate conference, where it could be improved even more. The final result must be marked improvement in border security, employer accountability, better assimilation of legal immigrants, and compensation for state expenses incurred from illegal immigration.

Though the conference committee was intended to meet to complete the work started in the House of Representatives and the Senate, the 109th Congress adjourned before this assignment was completed. I am disappointed by this result. However, I will continue working to curtail illegal immigration and its effects on the State of Texas while ensuring that immigrants following the rule of law have an equal opportunity to realize their potential as they become productive members of our society.

I look forward to the opportunity to work toward this end during the 110th Congress. To better acquaint you with the reforms I support, I have compiled detailed summaries of S. 1438 and other relevant information at http://cornyn.senate.gov/immigration.

I appreciate the opportunity to represent the interests of Texans in the United States Senate. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.

Sincerely,

JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator

[cowtowney]

That’s the first thing she has done right in a while. She leans toward RINO status.