WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) today introduced the Border Security and Deferred Action Recipient Relief Act, legislation that will fund fortifications to strengthen border security, deliver long-term relief for DACA recipients, and ensure the swift deportation of gang and cartel members. Flake’s solution-oriented bill is comprised of the following components, several of which have previously had the joint-support of congressional Republicans, Democrats, and President Trump and his administration:
Border Security: Provides $1.6 billion in funding for border security measures, including 74 miles of border fortifications, and funding to plan for further construction. This provision was included in the Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act (H.R. 3219) which passed the House with bipartisan support. That bill was also supported by President Trump and his administration.
DACA Recipient Relief: Provides DACA recipients or children who have been in the United States continuously since 2012 – and only those individuals – with conditional resident status for up to 10 years as long as they are pursuing vocational or higher education, enlisted in the military, or are gainfully employed. After meeting specified conditions, those individuals will then be eligible to apply for a green card. Those conditions include maintaining “good moral character,” as defined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulation; maintaining consistent residence in the United States for a period of ten years; and either completing their three years of military service or receiving an honorable discharge, completing their vocational or higher education, or maintaining gainful employment for four of the proceeding five years. This provision mirrors the bipartisan Recognizing America's Children Act (H.R. 1468 ).
Interior Enforcement: Strengthens interior immigration enforcement by targeting members of gangs such as MS-13, and cartels for deportation. Currently, participation in gang or cartel activity is not considered a deportable offense. The provision on gang membership mirrors the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act (H.R. 3697) which passed the House with bipartisan support. That bill was also supported by President Trump and his administration.
Border Access Roads: Enables the construction of access roads along the border to allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel to more easily patrol the border. The bill also grants CBP permission to work with local communities to help maintain existing roads they regularly use while patrolling the border. This provision would implement the recommendations of the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO).
“President Trump, both parties in Congress, and a majority of the nation all agree on the need for a stronger, more secure border; fair and permanent protections for DACA recipients; and the swift deportation of gang and cartel members who threaten our safety. I’ll work with anyone and support any number of proposals to accomplish these goals, but I believe the straightforward approach of the Border Security and Deferred Action Recipient Relief Act is the best chance we’ve got to put a bill on the president’s desk,” said Flake.
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