ATKINS ANNOUNCES IMMIGRATION REFORM PLAN
Calls for 10-Point Comprehensive Visa Reform and
A Guest Worker Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lisa Atkins
623-535-0809
PHOENIX (August 8, 2002) - Saying the U.S. Government has failed miserably in protecting our international borders, Republican congressional candidate Lisa Atkins today unveiled her plan to overhaul the nation's immigration controls.
"How many people must die in the desert and how many terrorists will get through before the government gets serious about addressing this escalating problem," Atkins said. "Enough is enough. This is a matter of national security and economic well-being. The measures I am proposing are sensible and equally as important, achievable."
According to Atkins, immigration reforms must be part of our national security strategy - they are as important to protecting our country as any military measures. As the September 11th terrorist attacks demonstrated, there is a clear link between our lax immigration system and the wide-ranging threat of terrorism.
Atkins' Immigration Reform Plan centers on two areas: comprehensive visa reforms and a guest worker program with no amnesty provisions.
10-Point Comprehensive Visa Reforms
"Terrorists have exploited nearly every means of admission to the United States," Atkins said. "Beyond sneaking across our borders, they have come as students, tourists, business travelers, lawful permanent residents, amnesty grantees and asylum applicants."
Atkins' 10-point visa reform plan is based on the doctrine that the United States has every right to scrutinize foreign visitors and its interests should focus on the protection of Americans, not the visa applicant:
Improve how visas are processed overseas
We must implement more rigorous background checks and personal interviews for all visa applicants. Several of the 9/11 hijackers were issued visas without being interviewed by a consular officer.
Track temporary visa holders
A system is being implemented to require colleges and universities to notify the INS if a foreign student stops attending classes. Such a system should be extended to other temporary visa holders.
Strict enforcement of the laws within the country
We must enforce visa time limits by recording the entry and exit of all persons to and from the U.S. The U.S. has no effective means to ensure that aliens depart at the end of their visa term. Forty percent-3 to 4 million--of the illegal immigrant population is composed of visa overstayers. Four of the 9/11 hijackers overstayed their visas. With today's technology, a visa tracking system can be implemented without creating significant impediments to legitimate border traffic.
Better investigate fraudulent marriages
This is a practice that has been used by illegal immigrants and terrorists and must be stopped.
Ensure adequate detention space
The lack of detention space has allowed criminal immigrants to remain at large in the U.S.
Increase fines/penalties for illegal immigrant smuggling
Expeditiously deport undocumented immigrants
Implement a better system of cooperation and information sharing between government agencies and foreign governments
Terrorists are being omitted from international "watch lists."
Dramatically increase resources devoted to enforcing our laws
Currently, there are only 2,000 INS agents devoted to worksite enforcement, anti-smuggling and document fraud. This number should be doubled.
Police our borders and ports of entry more effectively
On any given shift, there are only about 1,700 agents on duty at the 2,000-mile southern border. Some advocate tripling the size of the Border Patrol to about 30,000. However, this cannot be accomplished overnight because of training times, recruitment (Border Patrol agents have increasingly joined the Air Marshall program), etc. We can help by making the job more attractive (i.e. better pay, benefits). In the interim, while building the Border Patrol, we should allow the President to use military troops, in a support role, to assist at the border.
Guest Worker Program, Not Amnesty
"Congress must find a way to transform the current dangerous and frenzied illegal migration situation to a system that is safe and well regulated," Atkins said. "Moreover, it has to reflect our labor needs. The current border-crossing deaths are unacceptable and Mexico's cooperation is essential to any satisfactory guest worker program. Mexico must supervise its borders and be responsible for the safety of its citizens."
Atkins' guest worker program will take into consideration its impact on the U.S. economy, the enforcement of employer sanctions, protections against worker exploitation, and a mechanism to ensure that workers return home at the end of their employment. "Initially, this new guest worker program must be experimental and tested with great caution in limited areas," Atkins said. "I would support pilot programs in various states."
"I oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants in this country," stated Atkins. "Amnesty programs are an affront to law-abiding immigrants who patiently wait and follow proper migration channels. They also reward those who broke our laws and encourages additional illegal immigration."
