SAVE Act - Legislation to Enforce Immigration Laws

Office of Representative Heath Shuler

Representing North Carolina’s Eleventh Congressional District

For Immediate Release

November 6, 2007

Contact: Andrew Whalen, Communications Director

office: (202) 225-6401 / cell: (202) 731-5116

________________________________________________________________________

Rep. Shuler Introduces Bi-Partisan SAVE Act

SAVE Act Secures America’s Borders, Provides Employers with Tools to Verify

Work Eligibility, and Enforces Current Laws

Washington, D.C.

– Representative Heath Shuler was joined by over eighty other members of Congress today to introduce the Secure America through Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act. The bipartisan group of lawmakers came together to support what they called “commonsense” immigration legislation.  “Today Democrats and Republicans are joining together, putting politics aside and supporting a commonsense bill that is for the good of America,” Rep. Shuler said.

Rep. Shuler’s SAVE Act is a 3-part plan to drastically reduce illegal immigration — a strict emphasis on border security, employer verification, and interior enforcement.

“Illegal immigration is one of the most pressing issues facing America today. It is estimated that over 12 million people are currently here illegally, and thousands more are coming in every week,” said Rep. Shuler. “Americans are very upset at their government for not taking action, and they have a right to be. ”

 

The SAVE Act addresses border security by increasing manpower and making needed technological and infrastructure improvements on America’s northern and southern borders, including 8,000 new Border Patrol Agents and provides the infrastructure they need to be effective. It expands the E-Verify program to provide all employers with the tools they need to ensure that their employees are here legally. The E-Verify program is a simple, effective, and free program that allows employers to efficiently and quickly ensure that the people they hire are legally allowed to work in the U.S. The program will be phased-in over four years, beginning with the federal government, federal contractors, and employers with over 250 employees. Smaller businesses would begin using the system in a graduated manner.

The SAVE Act also provides the tools, resources and infrastructure necessary to enforce existing federal laws and penalize offenders. It increases the investigative abilities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement with more agents and more training. Additionally, it provides assistance for state and local law enforcement. “I am introducing this legislation because I have the ability to reach across the aisle and bring both sides together to reach a commonsense solution. This is what the people of Western North Carolina want and what the American people want,” Rep. Shuler concluded.

The SAVE Act has original cosponsors from 26 states.