Policy and Legislation : Legislative Update —August 25, 2008
In this Update:
U.S. Chamber Opposes E-Verify for Government Contractors
Census Bureau Report: 135 Million New Americans by 2050
Taxpayer-Funded Group Supports Bond Fund for Illegal Aliens
University of Texas, DHS Announce Opening of Border Security and Immigration Center
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U.S. Chamber Opposes E-Verify for Government Contractors
On August 11, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce submitted 26 pages of comments opposing the implementation of President Bush's Executive Order requiring most federal contractors to utilize E-Verify.
The U.S. Chamber argued in its comments that the President did not have the authority to require the use of the program because the new requirement "deprives [federal] contractors of their right not to enroll in the voluntary E-Verify program." (U.S. Chamber of Commerce Comments P.8) They further argued that the experimental program creates "unacceptable administrative burdens" on federal employers. (Id. p10) They also called E-Verify a seriously flawed program that "dangerously burdens the Social Security Administration, federal contractor employers, U.S. Citizens, and lawfully work authorized immigrants." (Id. p13)
The U.S. Chamber also claims that the cost to federal contractors would be an estimated $10 billion for the first year, an amount far beyond the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) estimated total cost of $550.3 million over ten years. (Id. p10) DHS spokeswoman Amy Kudwa told the National Law Journal she found the Chamber's estimated $10 billion cost for the program difficult to understand as the online tool is free to use. "Across the country, employers sign up for the program on an average of 1,000 a week, which speaks to the value of the program," she said. According to DHS, in 95 percent of cases, work authorization is returned instantly and fewer than 1 percent of cases have errors. (National Law Journal, LAW.COM, August 13, 2008)
Census Bureau Report: 135 Million New Americans by 2050
The United States will have 135 million more people in 2050 than it does today if current population and immigration trends continue, according to a recent report released by the U.S. Census Bureau. This drastic increase in the population raises concerns about school systems, infrastructure needs, and environmental impacts.
The Census report also notes that, with the changing population, there will be a significant demographic shift toward an "older and more diverse" nation. (Census Press Release, August 14, 2008) The percentage of adults over 85 is projected to triple to 19 million and the percentage of white Americans is expected to decrease to 46% from the current 66%. (Id.) Meanwhile, the Latino population is projected to triple from 46.7 million to 132.8 million, increasing the percentage of Hispanics in the total U.S. population to 30%. (Id.) Hispanics are expected to account for the largest percentage of population growth, though Asian-American and African-American communities are expected to increase also, making up 9% and 15%, respectively, of the total population. (The Washington Post, August 14, 2008) This increase will be seen by 2023 in local school districts. (Census Press Release, August 14, 2008)
Following the release of the Census report, an article in The New York Times noted that this large increase is primarily due to higher birthrates among Hispanic immigrant families. (New York Times, August 13, 2008) Steven Camarota, of the Center for Immigration Studies, told The Washington Post: "As a consequence of federal immigration policy, we're going to be a significantly more densely settled country and it's important to recognize that this is a choice we're making. This is not the weather that we have no control over. This is something we can change, so it's worth asking ourselves if this is something we want." (The Washington Post, August 14, 2008)
Taxpayer-Funded Group Supports Bond Fund for Illegal Aliens
On August 11, CASA de Maryland - an immigrant advocacy group that receives 45% of its funding from state and local governments - announced it will help illegal aliens arrested in worksite enforcement operations post bail. CASA made this statement at a press conference, where Boston financier Robert Hildreth officially announced the creation of the National Immigrant Bond Fund. (The Examiner, August 12, 2008) To be eligible to apply for the fund program, an illegal alien must have been arrested in a worksite enforcement operation and may not have any outstanding criminal violations. As of August 11, on bonds ranging from $1,500 to $48,000, the fund had already posted bail for approximately 100 illegal aliens- though it requires the illegal alien to pay half the bail. (The Washington Times, August 12, 2008) CASA spokeswoman Kim Propeack noted the advocacy group would work with the bond fund to coordinate bail efforts and track detainees. (The Examiner, August 12, 2008)
So far this year, CASA has received more than $2 million from local Maryland governments, (The Examiner, March 31, 2008) and in 2007, the city of Baltimore contributed $245,000 to the group alone. (The Examiner, April 2, 2008) CASA also receives grants and bonds from the state government - upwards of $625,000 in 2005 and 2006. The state is also contemplating giving the group another $500,000 next year. Additionally, CASA has been awarded over $4 million in tax credits since 2005, allowing the group to renovate the mansion it uses as its headquarters. (The Examiner, March 31, 2008)
CASA provides several social services, including financial advice for low-income immigrants, AIDS/HIV testing, and youth counseling. However, government funding for the group has been scrutinized recently, largely because of CASA's involvement in legal and political affairs. For example, CASA has published a pamphlet that instructs illegal aliens to refuse to cooperate with immigration and law enforcement officials if approached. (The Examiner, March 31, 2008)
The announcement came just one week after CASA accepted a $1.5 million donation from Citgo, a Venezuelan-owned oil company. These funds will be used over a three year period to help finance vocational training and economic development programs for immigrant workers. Examples include a program that offers low-income workers - such as day laborers - educational courses in construction trades and access to social services. (The Washington Post, August 5, 2008)
University of Texas, DHS Announce Opening of Border Security and Immigration Center
On August 12, the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and DHS announced the launch of the National Center for Border Security and Immigration. The center's opening came during UTEP's 5th annual Border Security Conference, an event co-hosted by United States Representative Silvestre Reyes (D-TX). (UTEP News Release, August 6, 2008)
The center will receive a total of approximately $6 million through a federal government contract granting UTEP about $1 million annually for each of the next six years. (The Houston Chronicle, August 12, 2008) According to a UTEP press release, the center will "conduct research and develop technologies, tools, and advanced methods to balance immigration and commerce with effective border security." (UTEP News Release, August 6, 2008) Specific areas of emphasis will include making threat assessments and vulnerability determinations, improving screening and surveillance techniques, enhancing law enforcement and policy efforts, and studying trends in immigration. (El Paso Times, August 12, 2008) The center, which will function as a joint venture between UTEP and the University of Arizona, will also include a degree and research program with the primary goal of educating future experts in fields related to immigration, homeland security, and the border. (The Houston Chronicle, August 12, 2008)
Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) visited UTEP last week and voiced his approval for the new center. "One of the hardest things in Washington, D.C., believe it or not, is to get good information," Cornyn said, adding he was optimistic that the center would help alleviate this problem by providing "solid information so we can make good judgments." Speaking on border-fence issues, Cornyn stated he was hopeful that the new center would "help us come up with solutions that are more effective." (El Paso Times, August 19, 2008) Jay M. Cohen, Under Secretary for Science and Technology for DHS, also commented on the center, calling it "vital to homeland security." Cohen added, "If we want to make our nation safe, we must find better ways to secure our borders." (El Paso Times, August 12, 2008)
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