Rep. Virginia Foxx sponsors immigration reform bill

By Scott Nicholson

Rep. Virginia Foxx (N.C.-5) of Watauga County is one of the four major co-sponsors of an illegal immigration reform bill.

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 the country illegally and allow for the swift deportation of illegal aliens. While the bill applies to all illegal immigrants, much of the border protection thrust is geared toward the U.S.-Mexico border.

Foxx said she had worked closely with Sensenbrenner and others on the bill and was proud to be given such a vote of confidence by the committee chair. The bill passed the Judiciary Committee on Thursday and is expected to be debated and voted on by the full House of Representatives this week.

The bill takes a much tougher approach toward illegal immigrants, particularly those who are conducting illegal activities to get it or remain in the United States. The bill would create an employment eligibility verification system that would allow the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security to track “alien identification numbers.” Employers or law enforcement could then check the numbers to make sure papers or records haven’t been falsified.

Foxx said many of the changes are geared toward the largest employers, who don’t have an easy way of checking the authenticity of identification. The bill would also increase penalties for those who knowingly hire illegal aliens. “We think most employers want to hire legal people,” Foxx said. “This gives them an easy way to check, and will let illegal aliens know they will be checked.”

The bill would also empower local sheriffs in the 29 counties along the southern U.S. border to enforce immigration laws and collaborate with federal law enforcement agencies. Those provisions were recommended by U.S. attorneys working along the border. Local law agencies would be reimbursed for detaining illegal immigrants. Foxx said there is currently no incentive to detain them because of the cost and resource burden borne by local jails, so the illegal aliens are usually released.

The bill would stiffen penalties for illegal alien smuggling and provide mandatory minimum sentences. It would also increase Homeland Security authority for long-term detention and for a strengthened removal process. It would also establish tougher penalties for illegal aliens who reenter the United States after being deported.

Foxx said there was an increasing problem of illegal aliens being involved in gang activities, with those illegals not just coming from Mexico. Those who have been convicted of aggravated felons would not be allowed admission into the country, even if seeking political asylum.

Foxx said there is no way to know how widespread the problem is, since “we’re operating on hypothetical numbers.”

“The Pew Hispanic Center estimates that over 300,000 illegal aliens live in North Carolina,” Foxx said in a statement. “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.”

Foxx also said counties should track the number of youngsters taking English as a Second Language classes and entering the public school system. She said health departments should also track the numbers.

Foxx said she believed the public perception was that illegal aliens were creating a burden on public services and were driving up the cost of government while not contributing to the tax base. “The general consensus is that it is very expensive,” she said.

The U.S. Senate is currently working on a “guest worker program” bill, but Foxx said she’s seen little support for it in the House. She said the illegal immigration bill has a lot of support and she expects it to pass the House.

“The sentiment is to have a bill to secure the borders before we address a ‘guest worker program,' ” Foxx said.