Looking for a Solution on Immigration, Continued

White House Releases Framework (Jan. 25)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2018

WHITE HOUSE FRAMEWORK ON IMMIGRATION REFORM & BORDER SECURITY

BORDER SECURITY: Securing the Southern and Northern border of the United States takes a combination of physical infrastructure, technology, personnel, resources, authorities, and the ability to close legal loopholes that are exploited by smugglers, traffickers, cartels, criminals and terrorists.

  • The Department of Homeland Security must have the tools to deter illegal immigration; the ability to remove individuals who illegally enter the United States; and the vital authorities necessary to protect national security.
  • These measures below are the minimum tools necessary to mitigate the rapidly growing surge of illegal immigration.
  • $25 billion trust fund for the border wall system, ports of entry/exit, and northern border improvements and enhancements.
  • Close crippling personnel deficiencies by appropriating additional funds to hire new DHS personnel, ICE attorneys, immigration judges, prosecutors and other law enforcement professionals.
  • Hiring and pay reforms to ensure the recruitment and retention of critically-needed personnel.
  • Deter illegal entry by ending dangerous statutorily-imposed catch-and-release and by closing legal loopholes that have eroded our ability to secure the immigration system and protect public safety.
  • Ensure the detention and removal of criminal aliens, gang members, violent offenders, and aggravated felons.
  • Ensure the prompt removal of illegal border-crossers regardless of country of origin.
  • Deter visa overstays with efficient removal.
  • Ensure synthetic drugs (fentanyl) are prevented from entering the country.
  • Institute immigration court reforms to improve efficiency and prevent fraud and abuse.
DACA LEGALIZATION: Provide legal status for DACA recipients and other DACA-eligible illegal immigrants, adjusting the time-frame to encompass a total population of approximately 1.8 million individuals.

·       10-12 year path to citizenship, with requirements for work, education and good moral character.

·       Clear eligibility requirements to mitigate fraud.

·       Status is subject to revocation for criminal conduct or public safety and national security concerns, public charge, fraud, etc.

PROTECT THE NUCLEAR FAMILY: Protect the nuclear family by emphasizing close familial relationships.

  • Promote nuclear family migration by limiting family sponsorships to spouses and minor children only (for both Citizens and LPRs), ending extended-family chain migration.
  • Apply these changes prospectively, not retroactively, by processing the “backlog.”
ELIMINATE LOTTERY AND REPURPOSE VISAS: The Visa Lottery selects individuals at random to come to the United States without consideration of skills, merit or public safety.

  • This program is riddled with fraud and abuse and does not serve the national interest.
  • Eliminate lottery and reallocate the visas to reduce the family-based “backlog” and high-skilled employment “backlog.”

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REACTIONS – ALLIES

Mike Huckabee
January 27, 2018

DACA talks

By Mike Huckabee

President Trump is taking flak from Republicans for his suggested DACA compromise that would reportedly offer a pathway to citizenship for up to 1.8 million children of illegal immigrants. That’s understandable, since he ran on a promise not to give citizenship to anyone who came here illegally, which includes even children brought by their parents without any control over the situation. But before Trump’s supporters get too angry, they should take a deep breath and watch the Democrats’ reaction. There’s a good chance they won’t grab this overly-generous offer – and some suspect that might have been the reason Trump offered it. It may not be a real deal, it might just be a rope-a-dope, and his opponents are just dopey enough to hog-tie themselves with it.

While those on the right think Trump is offering to give away the farm, the left is reacting as if he proposed putting Dreamers into Dachau. I’m not exaggerating. Anti-Trump liberals (even the ACLU) immediately began parroting the insane talking point that Trump’s proposal is based on “white supremacy” and is a “legislative burning cross.” No, seriously. Even the House Democratic leader, Nancy Pelosi, claimed that Trump’s offer was “outside the circle of civilized human behavior” and was a campaign to “make America white again.” She said it brought “a tear to the eye of the Statue of Liberty” (I knew Trump made Cory Booker cry "tears of rage," but now even the Statue of Liberty is weeping uncontrollably. Democrats don’t need a DACA bill, they need a Nuedexta prescription).

Mike Huckabee

Federation for American Immigration Reform
January 26, 2018

White House Framework to Boldly Fix Immigration is a Bust: Massive Amnesty Plan with Meager Reforms Betrays Campaign Promises

(January 26, 2018, Washington, D.C.) - The following statement is in response to the release of the president's framework for immigration reform and should be attributed to Federation for American Immigration Reform President Dan Stein:

"The White House immigration framework offers Americans too little while granting illegal aliens too much to be considered a principled, credible approach to curtailing illegal immigration and reducing massive flows of legal immigration.

"While campaigning, President Trump energetically reinforced the concept that immigration policies - levels, admission criteria and enforcement - must serve our national interests, not special interests. He made an unwavering pledge to protect American jobs, wages, enhance security and uphold the rule of law. He won because these principles resonated with Americans who hoped that his election would represent a historic opportunity to modernize our immigration system for the realities of the 21st Century. Yet despite all that, the White House yesterday inexplicably presented nothing short of an antiquated retread of the 1986 Simpson-Mazzoli Act.

"The White House framework for immigration reform does offer a partial list of true reforms widely embraced by the American people, including enhanced border security - backed up by a $25 billion trust fund for wall construction - elimination of the visa lottery, and a scaling back of chain migration.

"Upon examination, however, these positives are overshadowed by flawed and missing reforms.

"First, the framework audaciously grants amnesty to 1.8 million illegal aliens - 1.1 million more than anyone interested in addressing the status of DACA recipients ever imagined. By any definition, these numbers expose this framework as a massive amnesty vehicle, not a reasonable DACA compromise.

"Second, the framework does not offer any solutions to dangerous sanctuary policies that continue expanding across the country, nor does it address illegal aliens in the workplace by mandating nationwide E-Verify. Without these two reforms, public safety will continue to be compromised and American workers harmed.

"Third, while the framework does offer long-term relief for our nation from the effects of chain migration, reforms won't kick in until the admission of all 4 million people on current chain migration waiting lists.

"Finally, and perhaps most important, is that the framework fails to put enforcement mechanisms in place prior to any form of legalization. The proper sequencing should be to first put reforms in place that assure the public they're not going to get the short end of the stick, yet again.

"We urge the administration to scrap this proposal and proceed toward needed reforms using the Securing America's Future Act, which is currently awaiting consideration in the House."

For Immediate Release                   Contact: Robert Romano
Jan. 26, 2018                                     Phone: 703-383-0880 ext. 101

If Trump listens, he will scrap catastrophic DACA deal

Jan. 26, 2018, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement urging President Donald Trump to reject the recently announced DACA deal that trades away amnesty, citizenship and ten years of chain migration and the visa lottery for an eventual "end" to the program:

"Last week, I told the Washington Post, 'If Donald Trump signs a DACA deal, caves on this thing, on the one-year anniversary of his presidency, it ends his presidency for all intents and purposes. There is no reason for the blue-collar Democrats who voted for Trump last time to come out again.'

"Now that the White House has released the framework of a deal that not only provides amnesty for 1.8 million illegal aliens with a pathway to citizenship, it also allows for 4 million more people to come in through the chain migration and visa lottery programs over the next decade.  If the 'deal' survives five Congresses, and at least one other president, only then would chain migration end. This is not only a bad deal, it's a disastrous deal.

"First, President Trump providing amnesty is his 'read my lips' moment, giving his political opponents a major victory while destroying his own credibility with those trust him. The practical implication will be the inevitable Electoral College loss of Arizona, Texas and Florida for Republicans, eliminating any pathway to the presidency for a future GOP candidate and creating a permanent Democrat majority in Congress. We have seen what happens when that occurred in California, where single-party Democrat rule has turned the Golden State into what some are calling the poverty capital of the U.S., one ridden with tent cities.

"As President Trump returns from his triumphant visit from the World Economic Forum at Davos, he must listen to his blue-collar base that elected him and scrap this bad, bad deal that was announced in his absence. If this deal passes, without the Trump base showing up to vote, the midterms will be a bloodbath."

To view online: https://getliberty.org/2018/01/if-trump-listens-he-will-scrap-catastrophic-daca-deal/ 

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 106 or at media@limitgov.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts.
   
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U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Jan. 24, 2018

Graham: President Trump's Statement On Pathway To Citizenship For DACA Recipients Is A Major Breakthrough

 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) made this statement after reports that President Trump supports a path to citizenship for DACA recipients in 10-12 years.

“This statement represents presidential leadership on immigration that will allow us to solve a difficult problem.  I truly appreciate President Trump making it clear that he supports a path to citizenship for DACA recipients.  This will greatly help the Senate efforts to craft a proposal which President Trump can sign into law.

“President Trump’s support for a pathway to citizenship will help us get strong border security measures as we work to modernize a broken immigration system.  With this strong statement by President Trump, I have never felt better about our chances of finding a solution on immigration. 

“President Obama tried and couldn’t fix immigration. President Bush tried and couldn’t do it.  I believe President Trump can.  Today’s DACA recipients can be tomorrow’s Trump Dreamers. 

“Finally with this statement we are on track to solving the immigration problem which is the political key to rebuilding our military.”

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U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)

For Immediate Release
Friday, January 26, 2018

Contact:
Olivia Perez-Cubas                 

RUBIO STATEMENT ON TRUMP’S IMMIGRATION FRAMEWORK

Orlando, F.L. — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released the following statement today after the White House released its immigration framework:
 
“It is encouraging to see the President embrace some of the ideas I have long supported. I look forward to reviewing the specific legislative text once it is presented.
 
Our primary goal should be to send to the President, before March 5th, a bill that secures our border and that addresses the plight of the current beneficiaries of DACA in a responsible way. The reaction, from both sides, to the President's outline is a reminder that the more an immigration bill tries to do, the harder it is to pass. With only five weeks to go before DACA expires, if an agreement can't be reached on a broader bill, Congress should at least address the most immediate problems. We cannot allow unrealistic and unreasonable expectations to lead us down a path of failure.”
 
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U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR)
Contact: Caroline Rabbitt Tabler

Cotton Statement on President Trump’s Immigration Framework

Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on President Trump's immigration framework:

"The president's framework is generous and humane, while also being responsible. It protects those eligible for DACA, who are here through no fault of their own. But it also will prevent us from ending up back here in five years by securing the border and putting an end to extended-family chain migration. The president's willingness to grandfather everyone in the current immigrant backlog also shows he's serious about reaching a bipartisan solution. I look forward to working with my colleagues to turn the framework into legislation that can pass both the House and the Senate with widespread support."

REACTIONS – OPPONENTS

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi

Pelosi Statement on White House Immigration Framework

Washington, D.C. — Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released this statement following the White House’s latest immigration framework:
 
“The Administration’s anti-immigrant framework is an act of staggering cowardice which attempts to hold the DREAMers hostage to a hateful anti-immigrant scheme. 

“The 50 percent cut to legal immigration in the framework and the recent announcements to end Temporary Protected Status for Central Americans and Haitians are both part of the same cruel agenda. They are part of the Trump Administration’s unmistakable campaign to make America white again. 
 
“It is often said that America is great because America is good.  We are a great country that has been blessed and reinvigorated with the faith and family values of generations of immigrants.  That is why so many faith leaders, even those who support the President, have recognized that immigration strengthens our families, our churches and our communities.

“The DREAMers will not be ransomed for a hateful agenda that betrays our sacred American values.”


Fair Immigration Reform Movement [A project of the Center for Community Change]
For Immediate Release: January 25, 2018  

Toxic Immigration Ransom Note Threatens Our Democracy

(WASHINGTON)—Today the White House rolled out its immigration proposal. The following is the reaction of Kica Matos, Fair Immigration Reform Movement spokesperson:

“The white supremacists who operate in the White House without hoods have hijacked the immigration debate in our country, attempting to hold young, undocumented immigrants hostage in exchange for a vile, extremely racist agenda that will drag our country back to the pre-civil rights era. The proposed immigration framework is also another attempt by the White House to undermine the delicate, bipartisan work happening in Congress.

Extreme cuts to legal immigration include eliminating family reunification and ending the diversity visa program. Not to mention $25 billion dollars for a ridiculous border wall. Let us not forget Trump promised that Mexico would fund his ludicrous idea.

This framework is the antithesis to who we are as Americans and the values we claim as ours. Family is the cornerstone of our communities. Instead of bringing our country together, this Administration has sowed the seeds of division and hate towards immigrants, leaving the state of our union bleak.”

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ACLU
January 25, 2018

ACLU STRONGLY REJECTS NEW WHITE HOUSE IMMIGRATION DEMANDS

WASHINGTON — During a telephone briefing today for Republican staff, the White House discussed its demands for any Congressional deal to protect Dreamers.

Lorella Praeli, American Civil Liberties Union director of immigration policy and campaigns, said:

“Today the White House released a hateful, xenophobic immigration proposal that would slash legal immigration to levels not seen since the racial quotas of the 1920s, eliminate legal immigration channels for African countries, and spend $25 billion for a harmful, wasteful border wall and an increase in Border Patrol and ICE agents.

“Stephen Miller has said that his proposal is ‘extremely generous,’ but the only community that benefits from this supposed generosity are white supremacists. The White House proposal is clearly an effort to sabotage bipartisan talks on the issue by continuing to put issues on the table that are non-starters.

“The crisis facing Dreamers and their families is urgent, but addressing it must not come at the expense of using immigrant youth as bargaining chips, devastating border communities with harmful, wasteful walls and agents, or taking this nativist screed seriously. This proposal should be deemed dead on arrival.”


THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2018

Statement from the Press Secretary

Last fall, the White House sent Congress a list of the core reforms necessary to fix our immigration system.  These reforms were assembled in coordination with frontline law enforcement officers and career public servants who know what is necessary to keep America safe.  Since that time, President Donald J. Trump and his Administration have hosted dozens of meetings with Republican and Democrat leadership and rank-and-file members of the House and Senate to discuss these reforms and find a bipartisan path forward. Based on these negotiations, the White House will release a legislative framework on Monday that represents a compromise that members of both parties can support.  We encourage the Senate to bring it to the floor.  This framework will fulfill the four agreed-upon pillars: securing the border and closing legal loopholes; ending extended-family chain migration; cancelling the visa lottery, and providing a permanent solution on DACA.  After decades of inaction by Congress, it’s time we work together to solve this issue once and for all. The American people deserve no less.


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