Accomplishments
"Although we have a long way to go toward fixing our broken immigration system,
there have been a number of achievements resulting from the efforts of North
Carolinians and Americans. These accomplishments can be expanded upon if you
continue to fight for immigration policies that the majority of Americans want."
- U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick
Scott Gardner Act Amendment
Scott Gardner, one of Rep. Myrick's constituents, was killed when he and his family were hit by an illegal alien drunk driver. The loss of a teacher, father and husband was even more painful when it was revealed that the recently-convicted drunk driver had multiple arrests in the United States.
Rep. Myrick introduced the Scott Gardner Act, which would have mandated deportation for illegals after their first DUI conviction. This bill also included provisions which required better information gathering and data sharing among various law enforcement agents across the country for illegals convicted of DUI.
In December, Rep. Myrick offered an amendment to the House-passed Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act that ensures illegal aliens convicted of DUI are subject to a mandatory detention and removal order and requires better information collection by requiring all state and local law enforcement agencies to enter immigration status, deportation orders, failures to appear in court, and DWI convictions into the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
This amendment will not become law until the House and Senate agree to pass an immigration reform bill. However, it is a common sense alteration to current immigration law to protect citizens.
Although this law can never undue the heartbreaking loss of Scott Gardner, nor the injustice which is family has suffered, this amendment will go a long way toward preventing similar tragedies from happening in the future.
Strict Punishments for Employers Knowingly Hiring Illegal Immigrants
The House-passed immigration bill also included a series of punishments to discourage employers from the practice of hiring illegal immigrants. The bill would increase the punishment doled out to employers after their first violation from the current $250 to $500-$4,000 for each violation. Furthermore, a second violation in one year would result in fines of $4,000-$10,000 per illegal hire. A third violation by an employer in a two year period would be fined $6,000 to $20,000 for each ineligible employee.
One of the key ways to reduce illegal immigration is to reduce the incentives drawing illegals into the country. For far too long, the federal government has looked the other way as employers brazenly violate the laws prohibiting hiring illegals. Unless we make the penalties more than a slap on the wrist, and enforce them once they are enacted, illegals will continue to flock to our country knowing there are thousands of employers who will take advantage of this pool of low-wage laborers.
Fugitive Operations Teams
Congress authorized the hiring of two Fugitive Operations Teams in North Carolina. These seven-member teams - one based in Charlotte and a second in Raleigh - are part of an effort by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to search out the 500,000 criminal illegal aliens. Fifty additional Fugitive Operations Teams have been place around the country.
Following Congress’ authorization to hire these Fugitive Operations Teams, the Department of Homeland Security was dragging its feet to hire the personnel to staff the North Carolina positions. After numerous meetings with the Department of Homeland Security to expedite the hiring process for the North Carolina teams, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has fully staffed the Charlotte team and the Raleigh team will be operational by mid-July, 2006.
Additional Border Patrol Personnel
Recognizing the need for greater numbers of border patrol agents on the ground, Congress added an additional $1.2 billion in the War and Disaster Assistance Supplemental Appropriations bill bolster border security. A portion of this funding will be used to hire an additional 1,000 border patrol agents. The War and Disaster Assistance Supplemental Appropriations bill also includes funding for 4,000 additional detention beds and funds additional judges and attorneys to better process violations of immigration law.
Finally, the Supplemental Appropriations bill funds the deployment of 6,000 National Guard troops along the southwest border to assist with border security measures. This bill was signed into law in June, 2006.
Funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program
The State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) is a vital program that gives federal reimbursement to reimburse state and local governments for costs incurred for the detainment of criminal illegal aliens in local and state jails. The program is especially important given the ever-increasing role local and state governments play in detaining criminal illegals due to a lack of federal bedspace.
Unfortunately, President Bush’s Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Proposal zeroed out funding for the SCAAP. In February, 2006, I wrote to President Bush expressing my displeasure with the Administration’s proposal to eliminate funding for this important program. Fortunately, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Science, State, Justice, Commerce and Related Agencies realized the value of the SCAAP and included $405 million in funding as part of its FY 2007 appropriations bill. This legislation is currently awaiting approval in the House and Senate.