Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus on Jan. 29 released a bipartisan set of principles that include a framework outlining a 12-year path to earned citizenship for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) enrollees, as well as border security enhancements and tweaks to visa programs.
The plan is an attempt by the 48-member caucus to end the current budget impasse related to DACA reforms and border security, a situation that has aggravated U.S Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY), co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus.
“I am frustrated that there are so many partisan extremists that are more interested in achieving political victories than in actually solving these important issues,” said Rep. Reed, who was joined by caucus members Reps. Fred Upton (R-MI), Ryan Costello (R-PA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) in supporting the caucus plan.
The caucus’ set of principles would establish a path to earned citizenship for DACA enrollees who arrived before June 15, 2012, according to a summary released by Rep. Reed’s office. Those convicted of specific crimes would be ineligible and waivers would be required for those convicted of other crimes. Additionally, any accrued federal tax liability would have to be satisfied, among other criteria.
“For these young men and women, the United States is their home,” Rep. Upton said. “It is the responsibility of Congress to work together on fair, rigorous and bipartisan legislation that addresses the long-term uncertainty facing these young people. We should continue to work together towards those aims and will continue working with my Problem Solvers Caucus colleagues on a long-term solution.”
Regarding border security, the caucus’ principles call for roughly $1.59 billion for barrier infrastructure planning, design and construction to be appropriated from the president’s fiscal year 2018 budget request, and for $1.12 billion to be appropriated from the same for non-barrier infrastructure, which would include Southwest border surveillance technology and the hiring of 500 more border patrol agents, among other items.
“The Problem Solvers Caucus proposal, in finding a bipartisan solution for individuals here under DACA, addressing border security, reallocating visas from the Diversity Visa Lottery and dealing with family reunification and migration is the proper framework from which to establish the contours for a comprehensive immigration reform bill that can pass Congress and be signed into law,” Rep. Costello said. “These issues are not easy and, understandably, many emotions are involved, but Congress must show responsible and proactive leadership, and I am intent on being part of the solution to this issue.”
Half of the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program’s annual visa allocation would be redistributed based on merit and half would be redistributed to recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Once the current TPS backlog is drawn down, those visas would be allocated to nationals of priority countries.
“From dangerous ‘Sanctuary City’ policies to the national security threat posed by our compromised borders, it is clear that our immigration system is broken and there is much that needs to be done to fix it,” Fitzpatrick said. “Congress must reassert its authority and work to fix our immigration system by taking into account all aspects of the issue — from enacting ‘Kate’s Law’ to deport those who commit crimes while here illegally, to defunding sanctuary cities, to securing operational control of our borders, to treating with compassion those children who were brought here due to no fault of their own, in a manner that is becoming of American ideals and values.”
“This proposal is a step in the right direction,” Fitzpatrick added.