Senators Speak for Balance in Immigration Policy
Posted Jan 11, 2002

Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy (D-MA) and Sam Brownback (R-KS) recently spoke in favor of moderation in immigration policy. In a speech given in early December 2001, the Senators took a position in favor of immigration. They recognized that immigration is part of the national identity and essential to the U.S. They supported methods of protecting our borders against terrorism but against efforts to obstruct legal immigration.

Senators Kennedy and Brownback have introduced S. 1749, along with Senators John Kyl (R-AZ) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). The Kennedy-Brownback Enhanced Boarder Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2001 was introduced in November 2001 and was referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. At present, it has 39 co-sponsors and strong bi-partisan support. This bill is a more moderate response proposed as an alternative to some more extreme proposals offered following the attacks on the U.S. on September 11, 2001. The companion measure to the Kennedy-Brownback bill, H.R.3525, passed the House on December 20, 2001. The Senate was unable to take up S. 1749 before they adjourned for the winter holidays. It will be back on the Senate calendar when they reconvene on January 23, 2002. Although we update our MurthyBulletin and MurthyDotCom readers on the latest legislative proposals pertaining to U.S. immigration laws, more detailed information on this bill and other legislative activities can be obtained at the U.S. Senate WebSite.

In the bill and their speeches, Senators Kennedy and Brownback emphasized the need for increased federal intelligence regarding terrorist activities. They supported the need for "look out" lists and the sharing of information gathered by intelligence agencies and law enforcement with the INS and the U.S. Department of State. They recognized that the current lookout system is defective and that new technologies must be utilized to detect terrorists. Biometric technology was suggested as a way to avoid U.S. entry by terrorists who use false names and false documentation. The Senators support screening of immigrants prior to their arrival in the U.S. This screening, at the point of departure, would place security away from our borders and may prevent the physical entry of suspected terrorists. It would also allow for a more thorough background check prior to the foreign national entering our borders. The Senators also advocated implementation of a better tracking system for non-citizens, following entry.

The Senators concluded that security could be enhanced while maintaining our traditions and history of welcoming immigrants. We at The Law Office of Sheela Murthy support these goals, and hope that our government officials will recognize that the greatness of America is in part because it is a nation of immigrants and, accordingly, that they should devise methods to protect our borders as well as our human rights and civil liberties.