SubscribeEmployers flock to E-Verify
February 12, 2008
“The Homeland Security Department announced today that more than 52,000 employers have voluntarily adopted Citizenship and Immigration Services’ E-Verify employment eligibility system.
About 1,000 new employers have joined the program each week since last October, CIS said in a press announcement. The online E-Verify system allows employers to verify the employment eligibility of newly hired workers.” (Government Computer News)
More immigrants to get green cards before full review
February 11, 2008
“In a major policy shift aimed at reducing a ballooning immigration backlog, the Department of Homeland Security is preparing to grant permanent residency to tens of thousands of applicants before the FBI completes a required background check.
Those eligible are immigrants whose fingerprints have cleared the FBI database of criminal convictions and arrests, but whose names have not yet cleared the FBI’s criminal or intelligence files after six months of waiting.” (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
U.S. to raise Texas levees in lieu of border wall
February 9, 2008
“Federal officials said on Friday they will raise a stretch of Rio Grande river levees in Texas instead of building a small section of the controversial U.S.-Mexico border wall across the property of reluctant landowners.
The compromise only applies to about 22 miles (35 km) along the border in Hidalgo County, a small section of the 370 miles (595 km) of border fencing the Department of Homeland Security plans to build by the end of the year.” (Reuters)
Chertoff heading to Texas for border fence talks
February 6, 2008
“Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Wednesday he is heading to Texas to tie up plans for flood walls along the Rio Grande that could double as parts of a border fence.
Chertoff told The Associated Press he would be in McAllen on Friday, and is very close to reaching an agreement with county officials on plans to build the walls.” (Houston Chronicle)
Lawmakers, Chertoff press for border funding
February 2, 2008
“As lawmakers called for adequate funding to secure the nation’s borders and enforce immigration laws, and improved management of critical border security programs, Homeland Security Department Secretary Michael Chertoff disclosed Thursday that he will request $12 billion for those efforts.Several key lawmakers said they planned to closely scrutinize the Homeland Security Department’s fiscal 2009 budget request, especially the amounts allocated for border security, immigration enforcement and cracking down on employers who knowingly hire illegal workers.” (GovExec)
Border Traffic Moves Well in First Days of New Rule for Americans’ Re-entry
February 2, 2008
“A lot of Americans grumbled, but there were no major delays or disruptions at this bustling border station in the last two days as United States citizens were required for the first time to show a passport or other identity documents to return to the country by land.
Across the 1,900-mile border with Mexixo, inspectors applied the new measures gently. Americans who did not have the proper documents underwent additional questioning and were given a written reminder of the requirements, but were not turned away, border officials said.” (NYT)
Tighter U.S. Border ID Rules Begin
January 31, 2008
“New rules for the types of identification U.S. or Canadian citizens must present to cross into the country shouldn’t cause significant
delays and won’t be strictly enforced at first, a senior federal official said.
Under the rules going into effect Thursday, people will no longer be allowed to simply declare to immigration officers at border crossings that they are citizens, said Jayson Ahern, deputy commissioner with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.” (AP)
On Thursday, documents are needed to enter U.S.
January 30, 2008
“Starting Thursday, telling a customs agent you’re a citizen will no longer be enough to enter the United States.
For years, customs agents have accepted verbal declarations at border crossings, but a new rule taking effect this week requires documents to prove identity and citizenship. The simplest way to comply is to carry a passport or a driver’s license and birth certificate, but U.S. Customs and Border Protection will accept combinations of about two dozen valid documents.” (Arizona Republic)
Senators Say Jan. 31 Border Requirements Short-Sighted
January 28, 2008
“Led by U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), a bipartisan group of 19 senators Monday urged U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to pull the plug on new border requirements that he plans to impose beginning this Thursday.” (Government Technology)
Mayors rip Congress on immigration
January 26, 2008
“Cities are getting clobbered by Washington’s failure to reform national immigration policy, a group of mayors said Friday, and they urged Congress to take another look at legislation on the issue before the general election.
“Congress needs to get their heads out of the sand on this particular issue,” said Mayor David Wallace of Sugar Land, co-chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ homeland security task force.”" (Houston Chronicle)