Sensenbrenner Puts Harsh Enforcement-Only Bill on Fast Track: House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) has introduced an immigration bill loaded with harsh and punitive provisions that will harm millions of immigrants. Earlier this year, Sensenbrenner wrote the REAL ID Act, which included restrictive language on driver's licenses, asylum, charitable giving and freedom of association, and court review of immigration cases. His new bill, the "Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act" (HR 4437) goes much farther in criminalizing immigrants. Some of its provisions include - making illegal presence in the US a crime;
- making it illegal to help an undocumented immigrant remain in the US;
- requiring employers to verify Social Security numbers, including those of current employees;
- barring anyone convicted of misusing a Social Security card or number from entering the US or gaining residence, and make such individuals deportable;
- requiring that anyone arrested on the border or at a port of entry be detained without bond until they are removed or admitted;
- and MUCH MORE. Rep. Sensenbrenner wants to move this bill VERY QUICKLY. He plans to bring this bill before his committee for a vote THIS THURSDAY (December 8), and to bring the bill to the House floor NEXT WEEK. Please call your US Representative today and urge him or her to vote NO on HR 4437. Please tell your Representative that harsher enforcement will not work, especially if there are not also a path to citizenship and safe legal ways to immigrants to come to the US. In other words, we need real comprehensive immigration reform, not mean-spirited and counterproductive bills like Sensenbrenner's.