Gang of 8 Bill: Bigger Problems Than Just Border Security

Jun 12, 2013

Even if we can come to some satisfactory conclusion on the security issues, this bill still fails to reform many of the challenges we face and makes most of them worse. If all we do is fix the border-security portion, this bill is still considerably weak in four major areas, and would still be unworthy of support without major changes.

My Immigration Floor Speech in Tweets

Jun 12, 2013

Earlier today, I delivered a floor speech to identify the many problems with the Gang of 8 immigration proposal.  I turned the speech into a series of tweets, so you can help me spread the word about the problems with this bill.  Please help me RT these tweets:

Amendments that would improve the immigration bill

Jun 12, 2013

Today, I will be filing almost a dozen amendments to the Immigration Reform bill.  Here is a brief description of each one:

  1. Lee #1208 Requires fast-track Congressional approval at the introduction of the DHS strategies and at the certification of the strategies’ completion.  Increases accountability of Congress to oversee implementation of border-security measures.
  2. Lee #1209 Clarifies that the legalization process should be funded entirely by the fees collected. Lessens the economic cost of immigration reform.
  3. Lee #1210 Removes eligibility for RPI status for those who have absconded or sought to re-enter after receiving a deportation order. Toughens enforcement of existing immigration laws.
  4. Lee #1211 Replaces “any offense under foreign law” with “any act committed outside the United States” as a ground for inadmissibility.
  5. Lee #1212 Increases requirements to show that back taxes have been paid.
  6. Lee #1213 Clarifies that penalties for RPI applicants may not be waived, limited, or reduced. Decreases the authority of the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive penalties.
  7. Lee #1214 Removes “sworn affidavits” from the list of documents that RPIs may use to satisfy the employment requirement for adjustment to LPR status. Toughens enforcement standards for RPI status.
  8. Lee #1215 Requires an annual report on welfare benefits granted to illegal aliens and RPIs.  Fosters greater oversight of who is eligible for the country’s generous programs.
  9. Lee #1216 Inserts intent requirements for employer discrimination provisions. Tightens the law to prevent frivolous lawsuits.
  10. Lee #1217 Increases the W-visa starting cap from 20,000 to 200,000 and the post-phase-in cap from 200,000 to 400,000.  Better manages the flow of new immigration to the country while increasing access to needed labor.
  11. Lee #1207 Allows Customs and Border Patrol agents to engage in enforcement activities on Federal Lands, where they are currently prohibited from protecting the border.  

 

Why I oppose the 'Gang of 8' immigration bill

Jun 11, 2013

Our current immigration system doesn't serve America's economic or social interests and undermines respect for the rule of law. Fundamental reform is badly needed and long overdue. That is why I support immigration reform, and why I initially joined a bipartisan group of senators to try and find common ground on the issue. But it's also why I left that group. And why today, I must oppose the so-called "Gang of Eight" immigration bill soon to be taken up by the Senate.

Senators: End Secret Law

Jun 11, 2013

"This bipartisan amendment establishes a cautious and reasonable process for declassification consistent with the rule of law," Lee said. "It will help ensure that the government makes sensitive decisions related to surveillance by applying legal standards that are known to the public. Particularly where our civil liberties are at stake, we must demand no less of our government."

The 'Gang of Eight' bill is an immigration version of Obamacare

Jun 10, 2013

Fundamental reform is badly needed and long overdue. That is why I support immigration reform and why I initially joined a bipartisan group of senators to try and find common ground on the issue. But it's also why I left that group. And why today, I must oppose the so-called "Gang" of Eight" immigration bill soon to be taken up by the Senate.

The Gang of 8 Bill: Big Government Dysfunction

Jun 7, 2013

Rather than fix our current immigration problems, the Gang of Eight bill will make many of them worse. It is not immigration reform. It is big government dysfunction.

Lee Reacts to NSA Tracking Phone Records

Jun 6, 2013

The Fourth Amendment safeguards liberty by protecting against government abuse of power. Overzealous law enforcement, even when well-intended, carries grave risks to Americans’ privacy and liberty. Members of Congress cannot continue to grant broad discretion to government agents and not expect these types of troubling outcomes.

Lee, Amash Introduce Export-Import Bank Repeal

Jun 6, 2013

Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced legislation to repeal the authority of the Export-Import Bank of the United States and create a defined process for the phasedown of the bank. Congressman Justin Amash (R-MI) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

Lee Statement on Unneeded Nominations to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals

Jun 4, 2013

I am an original cosponsor of S.699, the Court Efficiency Act, which will reallocate unneeded judgeships from the D.C. Circuit to other federal appellate courts whose caseloads are many times higher. The President’s refusal to respect Senate precedent regarding the D.C. Circuit and his opposition to legislation that would distribute judgeships to courts that actually need them makes clear that today’s nominations are nothing more than a political ploy to advance a partisan agenda.