In a continuation of a troubling trend, a Florida based company was found to be replacing American IT workers with foreign-workers this week. Catalina Marketing has replaced about 50 IT workers in favor of H-1B visa holders from one of the largest outsourcing firms used by companies in the U.S., Mindtree.
U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen ordered the Administration to void and change the three-year work permits issued to about 2,000 illegal aliens after he imposed an injunction on implementation of President Obama’s executive amnesties. The judge said he was shocked this illegal action has not yet been remedied, but did not sanction the Administration’s conduct.
The Senate on Wednesday voted 60-38 to send President Obama Trade Promotion Authority legislation that would facilitate passage of trade deals such as the Trans Pacific Partnership. Congress needs more time to clear related bills, including one that would establish trade negotiation objectives that seek to ensure trade deals will not change U.S. immigration law or expand access to visas.
H.R. 2942, the Stop Catch and Release Act of 2015 (Grant's Law), would require the Department of Homeland Security to detain criminal aliens who commit serious crimes and complete the removal process within 90 days, thereby preventing their release and jeopardizing public safety.
Pushed by Democratic Members of Congress and special interest groups, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson today announced DHS would further limit the detention of those who illegally crossed the border as family units. Johnson's announcement comes despite a FOX News report this week indicating that 84 percent of Central American families who were released during last year’s border surge failed to appear in court.
As the courts sort out the legality of President Obama's executive action to grant amnesty and work permits to 5 million illegal aliens, the Obama administration is moving forward with its Priority Enforcement Program, which prohibits U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from targeting most illegal aliens for removal, including most of those who come into contact with state and local police.
2015: Senate vote on Trade Promotion Authority which replaced the text of H.R. 2146
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) has introduced legislation that would bolster the interior enforcement of federal immigration laws. The bill, S.1640, entitled the Michael Davis, Jr. and Danny Oliver in Honor of State and Local Law Enforcement Act, would end the mass release of criminal aliens, allow local law enforcement to assist in the enforcement of federal laws, and help ensure the just, consistent and uniform application of federal law.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) wrote an op-ed today for Breitbart.com, announcing that he will oppose the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) bill passed by the House unless it includes Sen. Jeff Sessions' (R-Ala.) amendment that unequivocally prohibits trade agreements from allowing new foreign workers to take U.S. jobs. The announcement represents a reversal in position for Sen. Cruz.
H.R. 2848, the Visa Overstay Enforcement Act of 2015, would increase the penalties for foreign citizens who come to the country legally, but overstay their visa. The bill would impose a fine or imprisonment for up to six months, or both, for a first offense; and (2) a fine or imprisonment for up to two years, or both, for any subsequent offense. An alien convicted of a first offense may not be: (1) admitted to the United States for 5 years, or (2) be granted a visa for 10 years.
