Press Releases

Washington, DC—March 18, 2021….Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today voted against H.R. 6, Democrats’ mass amnesty proposal that does nothing to comprehensively address serious immigration issues. The legislation will grant millions of illegal immigrants citizenship, create a framework that rewards lawless entry over following the rule of law, include no consequences for immigration fraud, allow gang members and criminals to qualify for green cards, and provide zero resources for border security.

Congressman Womack said, “We are in the midst of a full-blown crisis. The Biden Administration has lost operational control of our border. It’s undeniable and a direct consequence of the far-left’s open border agenda. Thousands of migrants, including bad actors exploiting vulnerable children, are trying to enter the U.S. illegally. The Democrat response? Mass amnesty legislation. They are more focused on prioritizing those who have violated our laws than securing our border and fixing an overwhelmed system. We need comprehensive immigration reform—not amnesty.”

Key components of H.R. 6 would:

• Provide amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants;
• Create a system that would reward those who broke our laws by putting them ahead of those who have waited to legally enter;
• Allow individuals convicted of dangerous crimes, including gang members, to receive a green card;
• Create a taxpayer-funded grant program to help illegal immigrants apply for green cards;
• Provide no consequences for immigration fraud;
• Expand the Diversity Visa Lottery program by 25,000 visas;
• Further incentivize illegal immigration and exacerbate problems at the border; and
• Increase the budget deficit by $34.6 billion over ten years.

Last month, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol encountered over 100,000 individuals seeking to cross the southwest border, a 28% increase in just one month and more than 170% higher than the same time a year ago. The surge in numbers follows the implementation of President Biden’s reckless executive orders, which include halting border wall construction, refusing to enforce immigration laws, reimplementing catch and release, canceling asylum agreements, and allowing COVID-19 positive migrants to enter the U.S. Though apprehensions are surging, the Biden Administration has failed to be transparent about the problem or label it a “crisis.”

Womack is committed to legislatively enacting strong reforms to fully revamp our immigration policies and secure our border. He has previously voted to authorize border wall development and implement comprehensive proposals that would have delivered a working, lawful, and effective immigration system. He also recently called for hearings to examine the ongoing and escalating security and humanitarian crisis at our border. Reforming pieces of our immigration system is pointless unless we stop the flow of illegal entries.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov

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