Senate GOP Introduces Slew of Border Security Bills

The Hill- A group of Senate Republicans Wednesday sought to resurrect the hot-button issue of immigration reform with the introduction of 15 new bills aimed at enhancing the nation’s border security.

The legislation covers the gambit of the enforcement spectrum, ranging from making English the official language of the United States to completing the 700-mile fence that stretches along the U.S.–Mexico border. Other bills focused on law enforcement, building the relationship between local and federal authorities, prohibiting illegal immigrants from obtaining driver’s licenses and instituting mandatory deportation for those convicted of drunk driving.

The GOP group, headed by Sen. Jeff Sessions (Ala.) included Sens. David Vitter (La.), Lamar Alexander (Tenn.), John Barrasso (Wyo.), Elizabeth Dole (N.C.), Tom Coburn (Okla.), Saxby Chambliss (Ga.), Jim DeMint (S.C), Johnny Isakson (Ga.), Pete Domenici (N.M.), James Inhofe (Okla.) and Arlen Specter (Pa.).

The lawmakers said they intended to use procedural measures to bypass the regular committee process in order to bring the bills straight to the Senate floor.

House Immigration Caucus Chairman Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.) praised the Senate action.

“I am hopeful that these measures, along with the Secure America with Verification and Enforcement Act, which was introduced by Democratic Congressman Heath Shuler [N.C], will lead to the passage of real immigration reform without any provision for amnesty,” he said.

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