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Washington, D.C. - A new Pulse Opinion Research poll again confirms that the American people from all political affiliations and races overwhelmingly support the use of E-Verify. The poll found that 78% of likely voters favor mandating that all employers electronically verify the immigration status of their workers. Among those who expressed an opinion, 94% of Republicans, 84% of Independents, 81% of Democrats, and 88% of moderates of all parties favor requiring all U.S. employers to use E-Verify. And 81% of Black Americans and 76% of other minorities, including Hispanic and Asian Americans, agreed.
Washington, DC - The House Judiciary Committee today approved a bipartisan bill (H.R. 3992) to add Israel to the list of countries eligible for E-2 visas. These visas allow foreign investors to come to the U.S. temporarily in order to spur job creation and economic growth here. The bill was reported favorably to the House floor by voice vote.
Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Howard Berman (D-Calif.), the bill’s sponsor, and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas), an original cosponsor of the legislation, today praised the Committee vote.
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently released over 400 pages of new Performance Based National Detention Standards that dramatically expand privileges and resources to illegal immigrants in federal custody. Specifically, the administration’s new detention manual drastically expands medical and mental health services for illegal immigrants far and beyond regulations or law, increases access to legal services, institutes an extensive complaint process, and increases visitation, recreation, and numerous options for diet.
Washington, D.C. - According to a report by the Syracuse University Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, the number of deportation proceedings initiated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the last quarter fell sharply by 33 percent, from nearly 59,000 filings to a little over 39,000. This substantial drop follows the Obama administration’s implementation of its new deportation guidelines that amount to backdoor amnesty. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the statement below in response to this drop.
Washington, D.C. - The FBI and the U.S. Capitol Police today arrested a Moroccan man in Washington, D.C. after an investigation into an alleged plot to carry out a suicide attack on the Capitol. Amine el-Khalifi was born in Morocco and entered the United States in June 1999 on a B2 tourism visa. His visa expired in 1999 and he has been living in the U.S. illegally ever since.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the statement below.
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today announced the appointment of a public advocate to handle complaints and questions about the administration’s immigration enforcement policies. This new position will serve as a point of contact for illegal and criminal immigrants in deportation proceedings as well as NGOs and other community and advocacy groups. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) criticized the creation of this new position in his statement below.
Washington, D.C. - The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday put five deportation cases on hold and asked the government how the illegal immigrants fit into the Obama administration’s immigration enforcement priorities. Last November, the Obama administration announced that it would review the cases of all illegal immigrants who have been ordered deported or are in deportation proceedings to determine whether or not they are a priority for removal. Instead of deciding these cases under the law of the land, the Ninth Circuit has asked the Obama administration if the five illegal immigrants are categorized as a priority for removal.
Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today praised the decision to expand the E-Verify Self-Check system to every state and territory in the U.S. In 2011, Self Check was launched in 21 states and the District of Columbia and beginning next Thursday it will be made available to all U.S. workers. This component of E-Verify allows U.S. workers to check their work eligibility before they apply for a job.
Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary CommitteeChairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today pressed the Justice Department to make senior officials available for interviews with the Committee regarding the Department’s knowledge of ATF’s Operation Fast and Furious following the shooting death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry in December 2010. Specifically, Chairman Smith requested to interview Monty Wilkinson, former Deputy Chief of Staff to the Attorney General, and Lanny Breuer, Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division.
Washington, D.C. - A federal appeals court today overturned President Obama’s controversial recess appointments. The judges ruled that the appointments made to the National Labor Relations Board are illegal, and the board no longer has a quorum to operate. The court also clarified that presidential recess appointment powers only apply after the Senate has adjourned sine die. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) responded to the court ruling in the statement below.