True Immigration Reform
A Policy that Serves the Interests of the American People
House Republicans have released their guiding principles for immigration reform. Unfortunately, they directly address the interests of corporate donors and illegal aliens while ignoring the needs of Americans.
At the Federation for American Immigration Reform, we are disappointed that once again our major political parties intend on extending amnesty to illegal aliens instead of focusing on struggling Americans.
It’s time to take back immigration for Americans. Protecting the interests of Americans is the reason our immigration laws exist. Excessive immigration harms American workers, taxpayers, and our most vulnerable citizens. That’s why we have to set and enforce limits.
Download a 1-page version of the TRUE Immigration Reform principles.
Here is What TRUE Immigration Reform Looks Like:
No more amnesties
We can create clever euphemisms, but the only people we will be fooling are ourselves. Any policy that legalizes illegal aliens is amnesty and will lead to even more illegal immigration. This includes any “pathways to citizenship” or legalization programs that grant green cards or work visas.
Secure our borders
The last time our government measured border security, only 13 percent of our borders are under “operational control.” That is simply unacceptable. To get the job done, we must use all the tools at our disposal. We must put more boots on the ground, add infrastructure — such as fencing — and implement proven technology to reduce the flow of illegal aliens across the border.
End visa overstays
Approximately 30-40 percent of illegal aliens are aliens who entered the U.S. legally, but overstayed their visas. To end this practice, we must add Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and finally implement a biometric entry-exit system at all ports of entry, a system already required by law.
Stop the hiring of illegal workers
Unless we remove the incentives to enter the U.S. illegally, we will not stop illegal immigration. We must eliminate the jobs magnet by requiring all employers use E-Verify and demand rigorous worksite enforcement that holds both employers and illegal workers accountable.
Robustly and uniformly enforce our immigration laws
Policies that direct law enforcement to ignore violations of our laws undermine the rule of law and are inherently unjust to law-abiding legal immigrants. We must enforce our existing immigration laws, eliminate fraud throughout the system, and prohibit the adoption of policies by state or local governments that encourage illegal immigration or provide benefits to illegal aliens. Enforcement doesn’t require mass deportation. If we enforce our laws and remove the incentives to remain here, many illegal aliens will go home on their own.
Implement a merit-based immigration system
Our immigration system should choose immigrants based on an objective assessment of who is most likely to benefit the economic and social interests of our nation.
End family chain migration
Family-based immigration must be limited to spouses and unmarried minor children. Entitlements for extended family migration lead to an immigration system that is not based on merit, runs on autopilot and fosters exponential growth in immigration.
Support the American worker
American workers are the best and most productive in the world. They are eager to work. What they need is the opportunity to compete for jobs at fair wages, not unfair competition created by massive guest worker programs. In addition, just because we could benefit from some skilled immigration doesn’t mean we should rubber stamp visas for every applicant with certain skills. We should develop and encourage our own STEM professionals, not discourage them by flooding the labor market.
Limit overall immigration
We are a nation of over 315 million people. We need to consider how much we want to grow and how that growth will affect jobs, our environment, resources and quality of life in America.