Is the Senate Immigration Reform Bill Tough on Border Security and Enforcement?

Yes it is. This legislation contains the toughest border immigration enforcement measures in U.S. history. It is based on six required security triggers that must be achieved before the newly legalized are allowed to apply for green cards. These six triggers include:

1. Border Security Plan DHS must create, fund and initiate a border security plan (within 6 months of bill’s enactment).
2. Border Fence Plan: DHS must create, fund & initiate a border fence plan (within 6 months of bill’s enactment).
3. Border Security Metrics: DHS must achieve 100 percent border awareness and at least 90 percent apprehension rates in high-risk sectors of the U.S.-Mexico border (within 5 years of bill’s enactment).
4. Border Commission: If DHS fails to achieve border awareness, a Border Commission of border state officials and stakeholders is required to create & implement a plan to achieve 100 percent border awareness and at least 90 percent apprehension rates in high-risk sectors of the U.S.-Mexico border (within 10 years of bill’s enactment).
5. Employment Verification: Universal E-verify must be implemented (within 10 years of bill’s enactment).
6. Exit System To Stop Visa Overstays: Visa exit system must be implemented at all international airports & seaports (within 10 years of bill’s enactment).