Statement from Rep. Cramer:
"Our communities should not have to cope with the influx of those who break our laws and settle in our area illegally. Anyone who wishes to enter our country must follow our nation's immigration rules and procedures and those who choose to bypass the system and enter our country unlawfully should be sent back to their home country. I do not support amnesty for illegal immigrants.”
"Illegal immigration jeopardizes our national security. We cannot protect our nation if we are unable to control our borders and know who is entering and leaving our country.”
Representative Cramer’s Congressional Actions to Prevent Illegal Immigration:
Enforcing America’s Current Laws:
Last year, I became an original cosponsor of the Secure America through Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act. This bill enforces the laws that are already on the books by adding 8,000 border patrol agents, and establishing a national strategy to secure both borders. The SAVE Act would also establish a virtual fence to ensure that every mile of both the northern and southern borders are watched and controlled. The bill also adds 8,000 additional beds in immigration detention facilities and 1,150 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents.
Funding our Immigration Priorities:
I voted for the conference report for the Fiscal Year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act. This agreement provides $9.4 billion for Customs and Border Protection, which is a $657 million increase over than the Administration’s request and $1.2 billion above FY 2007 funding levels.
The total includes $1.6 billion to construct security fencing along the U.S. border by December 31, 2008, as well as enough funding to hire an additional 3,000 Border Patrol Agents.
In addition, the conference agreement will provide $4.7 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This amount is $770 million above FY 2007 funding levels and $567 million more than the Administration’s request. This total included $200 million to develop a program to help identify illegal immigrants already in police custody.
Border Agents:
I am a strong supporter of our Border Patrol agents. I am a cosponsor of H.R. 563, which would pardon Border Patrol agents Ramos and Compean who were convicted in their involvement in a shooting incident with an illegal immigrant.
Border Security:
In the 109th Congress, Representative Cramer voted for The Secure Fence Act of 2006, H.R. 6061, which started the process of securing our southern border. This legislation directs the Department of Homeland Security to build an additional 700 miles of two-layered reinforced fencing, and install additional physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras, and sensors along the border.
Protecting American Jobs:
I voted for H.R. 1773, the Safe American Roads Act when it passed the House of Representatives in May. This legislation would prohibit Mexican trucks from operating on U.S. roads until they comply with certain federal safety and inspection requirements. Representative Cramer supported this bill to protect American truckers from unfair competition from foreign workers, and to ensure trucks that do not meet our country's level of safety stay off our roads.
Stopping Smugglers:
I voted for H.R. 2399, the Alien Smuggling and Terrorism Prevention Act, which increases penalties for transporting an illegal immigrant into or within the country, harboring an illegal immigrant, or encouraging an illegal immigrant to enter the country. The legislation also requires the Department of Homeland Security to cross check detained smugglers and illegal immigrants with terrorism watch lists.
Unnecessary Visas:
I am a cosponsor of H.R. 1430, the SAFE for America Act. This bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the Visa Lottery.
