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1. Sen. Vitter behind SAVE Act
2. NV Rep worried about health bill
3. Residency for 9/11 victims' family
4. Committee approves citizenship
5. Report alleges ICE violations

1.
Vitter pushes immigration bill
By Deborah Barfield Berry
The Daily Advertiser (Lavayette, LA), July 24, 2009

Washington, DC -- Requiring employers to check whether their workers are in the country legally is a key step to overhauling the nation's immigration system, Louisiana Sen. David Vitter said Thursday.

"The American people get it. They know that illegal immigration is a serious problem," said Vitter, a Republican. "They know that the way to fix it is through enforcement at the border, enforcement at the workplace and not having an amnesty program."

Vitter joined 13 other lawmakers at a press conference Thursday to support a bill that would require all employers to check workers' citizenship status using the E-Verify program, which is now voluntary.

The bipartisan bill introduced by Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., also aims to beef up border security by hiring 6,000 more border agents and using more high-tech surveillance equipment.

"We have to start securing our borders — cut off the job magnet," Shuler said.

His bill failed in the last Congress. A companion measure co-sponsored by Vitter will be introduced in the Senate.

Democratic leaders said they want to vote on an immigration reform bill this year.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers met with President Barack Obama last month to talk about immigration changes.

Proponents of the E-Verify program say making it mandatory is a key component of immigration reform.

Vitter said that because the program is voluntary, some employers still hire illegal workers.

"Such activity places an unfair disadvantage on employers who conscientiously take steps to verify the legality of potential employees and creates potential security breaches that must be addressed," Vitter said.
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http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20090724/NEWS01/907240320/1002/Vitt...

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2.
Loophole for illegals in 'Obamacare'?
No clear plan to stop aliens from enrolling in government health plan
By Chelsea Schilling
The World Net Daily News, July 24, 2009

The version of President Obama's universal health care plan pending in the U.S. House specifically states that illegal aliens should not receive benefits, but one lawmaker believes the statement does not go far enough to stop illegals from claiming to be citizens so they can receive health benefits.

In an interview with CBS News, Katie Couric asked Obama if illegal aliens should be covered under the proposed health plan.

Obama replied, "no."

"First of all, I'd like to create a situation where we're dealing with illegal immigration, so that we don't have illegal immigrants," he said. "And we've got legal residents or citizens who are eligible for the plan. And I want a comprehensive immigration plan that creates a pathway to achieve that."

However, he explained that he believes illegal alien children should be an exception to the policy.

"The one exception that I think has to be discussed is how are we treating children," he continued. "Partly because if you've got children who may be here illegally but are still in playgrounds or at schools, and potentially are passing on illnesses and communicable diseases, that aren't getting vaccinated, that I think is a situation where you may have to make an exception."

Section 246 of the House health care plan, or HR 3200, states:

NO FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS.

Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.

But Stuart Bybee, spokesman for Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., told WND restrictions on illegal alien enrollment are not clearly enforced under the House bill.

"Essentially, it's just a very vague provision, and it really doesn't have any enforcement capability to it," Bybee said. "It just says if you go in and claim that you are a citizen, that's good enough."
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According to a Center for Immigration Studies report, as many as one-third – or 15 million – of the often-cited "46 million people" without insurance are illegal aliens and their children.
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http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=104812

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3.
House panel approves measure granting US residency to some relatives of 9/11 victims
The Associated Press, July 23, 2009

Washington, DC (AP) -- Undocumented immigrants whose relatives were killed in the Sept. 11 attacks would be eligible to become legal permanent residents of the U.S. under a measure approved by a House subcommittee.

It is estimated that 15 children and spouses of those children would qualify.

Similar legislation has provided for relatives of 9/11 victims who would otherwise have had a lawful basis for immigration.
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http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/wire/sns-ap-us-sept-11-...

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4.
Pulaski Resolution Approved — Finally
By Leah Nylen
The Congressional Quarterly (Washington, DC), July 23, 2009

It should have been quick work for a House Judiciary subcommittee to approve a resolution awarding a war hero honorary citizenship posthumously.

But apparently Republican Steve King of Iowa didn’t know who this Revolutionary hero, Casmir Pulaski, was — until he was pressured with letters from angry Polish-Americans demanding that he support the resolution (H J Res 26) sponsored by Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich , D-Ohio.

Pulaski, a Polish general who was killed in 1779 during the Battle of Savannah, is revered by Polish-Americans for helping the Unites States win its independence from Great Britain. The states of Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana all honor him with holidays.

It took a year to convince King, the ranking member of the immigration subcommittee, but today he finally relented and voted for the resolution. The Iowan said he didn’t want to send the “wrong message” that intimidation works, but said he did not want “to punish the Polish-American community and disrespect Casmir Pulaski.”
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http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003175440

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5.
U.S. immigration agents' home raids violate constitutional rights
Xinhua (Chinese State News Agency), July 24, 2009

Los Angeles (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents violated constitutional rights, engaged in racial profiling and adhered to a "cowboy mentality" practice during home raid operations conducted since 2006, a report analyzing arrest records said.

The report, released on Wednesday by the Immigration Justice Clinic at Yeshiva University's Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, said the ICE has vastly expanded its use of home raid operations as a method to locate and apprehend individuals suspected of civil immigration law violations.

This report is the first public effort in the United States to compile and analyze the available evidence regarding the prevalence of constitutional violations occurring during ICE home raids.

These home raids generally involve teams of heavily armed ICE agents making predawn tactical entries into homes, purportedly to apprehend some high priority target believed to be residing therein, said the report.

The ICE has admitted that these raids are without warrants, therefore, any entries into homes require the informed consent of residents.

However, a growing body of evidence has arisen since 2006 which suggests that many ICE agents have failed to routinely observe constitutional requirements in carrying out ICE home raid operations, the report said.
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http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-07/24/content_11765236.htm