Immigration Amendments Attached to Homeland Security Appropriations Bill
Senate Adds Two Immigration-Related Enforcement Amendments to FY10 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill
Cite as “AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 09070869 (posted Jul. 8, 2009)”
The Senate has thus far agreed to include two immigration enforcement-related amendments to the FY10 Homeland Security Appropriations bill (HR 2892).
The first amendment (#1371) sponsored by Senator Sessions (R-AL) would permanently reauthorize the Basic Pilot/E-Verify program and mandate its use among federal contractors and subcontractors. After a Motion to Table (kill) the amendment failed 44-53, Senator Leahy (D-VT) introduced a second-degree amendment to the Sessions amendment which would permanently authorize the EB-5 regional centers program. Both amendments were agreed to by a voice vote.
The second amendment (#1399) sponsored by Senator DeMint (R-SC) would require the completion of at least 700 miles of reinforced fencing along the southwest border by December 31, 2010. The amendment passed 54-44.
Debate on the DHS appropriations measure is on-going at this time and we expect additional amendments to be introduced as the debate continues so stay tuned to InfoNet for more updates.
If regular order is followed, once the Senate passes its version of the FY10 DHS Appropriations bill, it will go to conference where leaders from both chambers will attempt to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill.