Securing the Border and Enforcing the Law
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Border security is a major issue - not just for Texas - but for the entire nation. We need border security first and we need it now. I would like to take this opportunity in this Special Edition of the Babin Bulletin to highlight just a few of the many things I am doing to address illegal immigration and border security.
Rep. Babin discusses border security with border patrol agents on the Rio Grande. |
The failure to secure our nation’s borders will lead to further illegal immigration, while leaving us vulnerable to those seeking to cross the border to cause us harm. I toured the Southwest border earlier this year with law enforcement and met with those living along our southern border. I saw the severity of the situation firsthand. Simply put, our border is not secure and it is putting the safety of the American people at risk. I am fully committed to taking whatever steps are necessary to first secure our border and ensure that the states have the resources they need to adequately protect those borders – particularly when the federal government fails in its duty. Border security is not just about protecting our physical borders; it is also about ensuring our immigration policies are strictly enforced both at the border and within the country. As your Congressman, I am a strong advocate for policies that seek to strengthen border protection and enforce the immigration laws that Congress has already enacted into law.
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Ending Sanctuary Cities and Deporting Criminal Aliens
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The tragic killing of Kathryn Steinle at the hands of a five-time deported illegal alien in San Francisco should have never happened. Sadly, this has become too common as the federal government and cities across America refuse to enforce our immigration laws. Last month, legislation I cosponsored, the Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act (H.R. 3009) was passed by the House. H.R. 3009 cuts off federal funding for sanctuary cities, because these cities intentionally ignore federal immigration laws and threaten the safety of our communities. By restricting federal funding for sanctuary cities and other localities that ignore the letter of the law and allow criminal aliens to roam free, we have made it clear that these irresponsible and dangerous policies will not be tolerated. While this is an important first step, more must be done to restore the rule of law and ensure the safety and security of the America people from illegal criminal aliens.
I recently spoke on the House floor urging immediate action to end sanctuary city policies. To watch, please click here.
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| Blocking Illegal Executive Amnesty |
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I have worked at every opportunity to repeal and defund the President’s executive actions on immigration. One of the first bills I cosponsored as a new Member of Congress in January was H.R. 191, Repeal Executive Amnesty Act, to repeal and defund the Administration’s amnesty plan. To that end, I voted for several provisions to block funding for the Administration’s amnesty initiative. Unfortunately, these critical provisions were stripped from the bill by the U.S. Senate in February, and when they were, I voted no! I will have no part of legislation that falls short of stopping illegal amnesty. I remain committed to fighting for the rule of law and restoring the balance of power between the Executive and Legislative branches of government. Immigration law should be set by the Congress through legislation, not by unilateral action by the President.
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Babin Legislation Puts a Pause on Costly and Dangerous Refugee Resettlement Program
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According to the U.S. refugee admissions database, nearly 500,000 new immigrants have come to the U.S. under the resettlement program since 2008 – with the state of Texas and its taxpayers being asked to take in more than any other state. That’s one reason I introduced the Resettlement Accountability National Security Act (H.R. 3314), which places an immediate suspension on allowing immigrants into the United States under the refugee resettlement program, until the Government Accountability Office (GAO) completes a thorough examination of its costs on federal, state and local governments.
One supporter of my legislation stated, “I’ve been following this issue for eight years and this is the first time I have seen anyone in Congress (other than recent concerns about Syrian refugees) take a single step to begin to scrutinize the entire program.”
While this program may be warranted in certain situations, it is continuing at an unchecked pace. My bill institutes a common sense pause in the program so that we can better understand the long-term and short-term costs that this program has on local governments, states and U.S. taxpayers. It also gives us an opportunity to examine potential national security issues related to entry and resettlement; particularly as federal law enforcement officials are increasingly concerned about home-grown terrorists.
To learn more about the serious and legitimate concerns surrounding the refugee program, please click here to read an article from the Conservative Review.
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Eliminating DHS Immigration Slush Fund
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I have joined Sen. Ted Cruz in introducing the Immigration Slush Fund Elimination Act (H.R. 2855), which prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from redirecting fees it collected to process legal immigrants to fund the President’s executive actions on immigration for illegal immigrants. Our legislation would cut off the DHS’ ability to self-fund the President’s executive actions and restore Congressional authority. While the U.S. is a nation of immigrants, we are also a nation of laws. It's wrong to divert the fees paid by those immigrating legally to the U.S. to pay for amnesty for those who came here illegally – and our bill puts an end to that practice.
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| No Office Space for Executive Amnesty Act |
I introduced the No Office Space for Executive Amnesty Act (H.R. 2801) to prohibit the Obama Administration from leasing a new $7.8 million, 11-story building near Washington, DC, that’s being planned to house thousands of new government employees hired to process the President’s illegal executive actions on immigration. I believe President Obama’s decision to grant amnesty through unilateral executive action makes a mockery of our laws and it must be stopped on all levels. As we await further action by the federal courts, this legislation will ensure taxpayer funds can no longer be wasted on renting expensive office space for government employees to carry out the President’s executive actions on immigration. This further protects your tax dollars while advancing our fight to stop the President’s amnesty and restore the rule of law.
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| Immigration Poll Questions |
Refugee Resettlement
For the past decade the U.S. has been admitting roughly 70,000 new refugees a year, with little understanding of the economic and social costs on our communities. In response, I introduced the Resettlement Accountability National Security Act (H.R. 3314) to suspend and examine the program in greater detail. With that in mind, I want to know what you think about this important issue.
Should Congress pass legislation to pause the U.S. refugee resettlement program so it can be further examined to better understand its costs and risks on our local communities?
(__) Yes
(__) No
(__) Need more information
To take the survey, click here.
Sanctuary Cities
The tragic killing of Kathryn Steinle at the hands of a five-time deported illegal alien in San Francisco should have never happened. Sadly, this has become too common as the federal government and cities across America refuse to enforce our immigration laws.
In light of these events, I want to know how you think Congress should respond.
What should Congress do to put an end to the loose immigration policies that have led to the death of American citizens? (Check all that apply)*
(__) Impose a mandatory five year sentence for any adult illegal alien caught crossing into U.S. for a second time (Kate’s Law).
(__) Enact policies that force foreign countries to take back criminal aliens caught in the U.S.
(__) Cut off all federal funding that goes to sanctuary cities like San Francisco; who allow illegal immigrants, including criminal aliens, to live without fear of deportation.
(__) End catch and release policies by mandating ICE agents detain any illegal alien charged with violent crimes until they are convicted or deported.
(__) Make it a federal crime for city official to defy federal immigration laws.
(__) Nothing, I support the President's immigration policies.
(__) Other
To take the survey, click here.
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