May 23, 2007
Rewarding Illegal Aliens: Senate Bill Undermines The Rule of Law
by Kris W. Kobach, D.Phil., J.D. and Matthew Spalding, Ph.D.
WebMemo #1468
The most controversial component of the Senate's Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act of 2007 is Title VI, euphemistically entitled "Nonimmigrants in the United States Previously in Unlawful Status." It would create a new "Z" visa exclusively for illegal aliens. This title would change the status of those who are here illegally to legal, essentially granting amnesty to those "previously in unlawful status." This seriously flawed proposal would undermine the rule of law by granting massive benefits to those who have willfully violated U.S. laws, while denying those benefits to those who have played by the rules and sometimes even to U.S. citizens.
Flawed Provisions
The following are ten of the worst provisions—by no means an exhaustive list—of Title VI of the bill:
- A Massive Amnesty
- The Permanent "Temporary" Visa
- Hobbled Background Checks
- Amnesty for "Absconders"
- Reverse Justice
- Enforcement of Amnesty, Not Laws
- Amnesty for Gang Members
- Tuition Subsidies for Illegal Aliens
- Taxpayer-Funded Lawyers for Illegal Aliens
- Amnesty Before Enforcement Triggers
View provisions in detail at link, Rewarding Illegal Aliens: Senate Bill Undermines The Rule of Law