Tom Garrett on Immigration

E-N-D: Erect wall; No benefits; Defund sanctuary cities

If we do these things, we can end the crisis on our Southern Border and protect American workers from lawbreakers undercutting our labor market. No country can survive if it cannot control its borders. Tom favors tightening our laws and our borders to stop the flow of illegal immigrants into our country. He opposes amnesty for illegal aliens. Tom has led the fight in the General Assembly against illegal immigration and the use of taxpayer dollars to reward illegal immigrants who break our laws. Last year, Tom voted for SB 722, which prevents in-state tuition rates from being extended to illegals. This year, the GA passed Tom's bill, SB 270, that strips funding from sanctuary cities.

Hold sanctuary cities liable for crimes by illegal aliens

Legislative Outcome:: Sen. Garrett voted YEA; introduced on Jan. 21; passed Senate, 21-19-0, on Feb. 9; died in House Committee on Feb. 11.

Deport foreign criminals;punish nations denying repatriation.

Congressional Summary:

• Requires a quarterly report to Congress regarding each country that has refused or unreasonably delayed repatriation of an alien who is a citizen, subject, national, or resident of such country.
• Prohibits the Secretary of State, upon the passage of specified periods of time, from issuing certain nonimmigrant (including certain diplomatic) visas and immigrant visas to a citizen, subject, national, or resident of a listed country.
• Notifies the chief law enforcement officer of the state and of the local jurisdiction in which an alien who has been detained is released.

Opponent's Comments (American Immigration Lawyers Association letter, Nov. 17. 2011): AILA urges withdrawal of this unnecessary and deeply harmful bill from consideration. If enacted, H.R. 3256 would do serious damage to the U.S. visa processing system, jeopardize U.S. businesses and communities that depend on foreign national students, workers, and their families, and threaten America's economy and security. At a time when America's doors must be open for business, we cannot risk sending the message to the world that we have shut our doors.

The proposed bill's mandatory visa-denial scheme would place at risk America's relations with many of its most important trade, business and diplomatic partners. H.R. 3256 would mandate the denial of visas to any country that denies or unreasonably delays the repatriation of its nationals. If implemented today, scores of countries would risk having their visas cut-off because they failed to repatriate nationals within a 180-day period. Among those countries are some of our closest allies and key economic partners.

Supports illegals returning to country of origin.

The Project Vote Smart Voter Guide inferred how candidates would respond to the question, 'Immigration: Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?' Project Vote Smart notes, "in response to the increasing unwillingness of candidates to answer issue questions, Project Vote Smart has researched Congressional candidates' public records to determine candidates' likely responses on certain key issues. These issue positions, from the year 2016, are provided [for candidates who] refused to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2016 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests. Historically, candidates have failed to complete our test due to the advice they receive from their parties and advisors and out of fear of negative attack ads."