U.S. House Committee Advances Secure Border Security bill

The Committee passed H.R. 1299, The "Secure Border Act of 2011," introduced by Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security. H.R. 1299, as amended, would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a plan to gain operational control of the border within five years.

Subcommittee Chairman Miller said: "For far too many years, our nation has lacked a clear and concise plan to gain and maintain operational control of the borders. My legislation directs the Secretary of DHS to develop a strategy for securing our borders and ports of entry by taking into account personnel, technology and other resources to meet our nation's security requirements. Our common defense begins with effectively securing our borders, and the American people rightly expect and demand that the federal government take the responsibility to secure the borders now."

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has called the term "operational control" an "archaic" measure and has indicated that DHS is in the process of developing a new measure. H.R. 1299 would require any new measure to be evaluated by a Department of Energy National Laboratory to ensure that it is suitable and statistically valid.

H.R. 1299 passed by voice vote.

http://www.mexidata.info/id3149.html

Well this is good news cause Republicans have been complaining about wanting to first pass a bill to secure the border, then work on immigration reform. I have to say that this is truly a surprise that the Republicans are stepping up their game and also shows, that there might actually be an immigration reform bill or the federal Dream Act can pass through Congress before the 2012 elections. I think Republicans have gotten the message that their criticism of immigrants and Latinos have ruined their image and now want to clean it up by making the first step in trying to secure our borders. Ok, at least for now, I give a point for the Republicans. But now, the Democrats must find a way to merge this bill with an immigration reform package or the federal Dream Act. To all the Dreamers out there, from the promise God has made in my heart, I say to you (always), He is going to do awesome things in your hearts and your best days are coming. Keep your heads up cause the Dream will soon become a Reality! Amen!

I hope they pass the new visa bill, that way we can get our green card through my uncles petition.

In a sense, it is a positive step, but it is a stupid, symbolic bill. It aims to CALL ON DHS to secure the border. Do any of you see the probelm with this bill? DHS can take measures to secure the border with new techniques, but Republicans can always delay the passage of immigration reform by claiming the new DHS techniques have proven to be ineffective in securing the border.

Why don't Republicans delineate in detail which technology and strategies will lead to a secure border? Give Republicans the responsibility of securing the border.

"we have to test out the enactment of this border security bill for 5 years before we can concur the border is secure. Only then, can we talk immigration reform."

First part of DA USER's prediction coming true.. :nervoussmiley
admins really need to add nervous smiley to the forum...

can you tell me more about this?

^^well it just takes away limitations based on countries, same number of visas, but it's on a first come first serve basis. We have a priority date of 1999 Mexico, if this passed we would get our green card quickly. We still have to wait for the text of the bill to know.

do you have a link?

Well, you'd definitely get a visa number, but if you're out of status and don't qualify under 245(i), you're screwed either way.