To the Editor:

You may remember that I urged the Southampton County Board of Supervisors to pass a resolution concerning illegal immigration, which they did. I sent our Congressman [Randy] Forbes an email a couple of days ago congratulating him on his election victory and urging him to continue his fight against amnesty for illegals. Here is his reply to me (see below).

Dear Mr. Cutchin:

For me, no amnesty means no amnesty. Our immigration policy must reflect our core belief that entry into the United States is not a right, but a privilege. The government must ensure the safety and security of our nation’s borders. This cannot be done if we do not identify and monitor the constant flow of illegal immigrants into our country.

As you know, President Obama has indicated that he intends to change immigration law unilaterally to provide amnesty to illegal aliens and expand upon the deferred action program that granted temporary relief from deportation to young people brought into the U.S. illegally by their parents. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program originally granted a two-year deferral from deportation for anyone under the age of 31 who came to the United States before the age of 16. The application process began Aug. 15, 2012, and individuals can apply to have their DACA status renewed. This policy has only served to encourage more illegal minors to cross our borders in hopes of being granted amnesty.

In response to the Administration’s plans to renew, revise and extend the DACA program, the House, with my support, passed H.R. 5272, which would freeze the deferred action program as of July 30, 2014, prohibiting federal funds or resources from being used to process new applications under DACA. The bill would also prohibit the Administration from using federal funds or resources to authorize deferred action for any class of illegal immigrants moving forward, and prevent federal funding or resources from being used to authorize work permits for immigrants not lawfully present in the United States.

In addition, the House passed legislation, H.R. 5230, to amend the Trafficking Victims Protection and Reauthorization Act of 2008 to require that all unaccompanied minors be treated the same regardless of the country they came from. Further, any unaccompanied minor who is not a trafficking victim or does not have a credible fear of persecution, would be placed in removal proceedings, or be able to voluntarily deport. The bill also makes criminals with serious drug-related convictions ineligible for asylum, and provides $70 million for deployment of the National Guard. Finally, the bill prohibits the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from denying, restricting or impeding border patrol activities on federal land. Currently, the Agencies have rules that prevent Border Patrol agents from accessing federal lands near the border under the guise of environmental preservation. As a result, federal lands along the border provide drug traffickers, human smugglers, and illegal immigrants with effective routes and hiding places where Border Patrol agents cannot reach them.

This Administration has taken on the policy of selective enforcement of our immigration laws, which has created a serious credibility issue with the American people. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been releasing people from detention, and not detaining students and parents, who the agency knows are here illegally. Our nation was built on the foundation of the rule of law. We must uphold the U.S. Constitution as well as the statues written and signed into law.

In addition to the serious security implications that illegal immigration poses, allowing an unchecked wave of illegal immigrants to come into the United States undermines our current immigration policy, and will only encourage more illegal immigration. I have acted to oppose the release of criminal illegal immigrants, demanded deportation of illegal immigrant gang members, and opposed the Administration’s actions to selectively enforce our laws and defer deportation. I strongly support securing the border as our first priority and I have opposed the closure of border patrol stations. I believe we must empower states to protect citizens and combat illegal immigration, and I have supported legislation to verify employment. Finally, I have demanded answers from the President about the taxpayer dollars being spent to house, feed and transport the unaccompanied minors crossing our southern border.

As a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, I will work to vigorously to support the rule of law and uphold Congress’ duty to hold the executive branch accountable for its actions. With kind personal regards, I am

Yours truly,

 

J. RANDY FORBES

Member of Congress

Ash Cutchin
Courtland