Is There an Alternative to US the “Doormat” and “Fortress America”? Rand Paul Thinks So

U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has introduced the Border Enforcement, Security, And Funding Enhancement (BE SAFE) Act to strengthen border security and improve other aspects of the broken immigration system.  In addition to being “SAFE,” Paul and his supporters see it as a sane approach, compare to a wall.

The legislation would impose a $2,500 border security fee on each new green card issued to fund the construction of new border walls or physical barriers and other immigration-related improvements.

“As both sides debate the path forward on reforming our immigration system, the BE SAFE Act provides a constitutional answer that guarantees funding for our needs on the border without taking away from other priorities or increasing the burden on American taxpayers,” said Dr. Paul.

Since 1998, the U.S. government has handed out just over 1 million green cards on average per year. At this level of demand, the BE SAFE Act will generate some $2.5 billion annually in new revenue.

Here are the details on the bill:

Dr. Rand Paul’s BE SAFE Act

•    Requires each new lawful permanent resident to pay an additional $2,500 fee to U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)

•    Establishes a Border Security Enhancement Fund at Treasury

•    Directs USCIS to deposit all fees paid under the BE SAFE Act into the Border Security Enhancement Fund

•    Authorizes the president to use Border Security Enhancement Fund for certain immigration-related purposes

•    Enumerates the authorized uses of funds in the Border Security Enhancement Fund, including: border barriers, fencing or wall construction; enforcement, detention, and removal operations; counter-trafficking; improving ports of entry; reducing visa overstays; conducting oversight of student visa holders, refugees, and asylees; expanding trusted traveler programs; reducing immigration court backlogs; completing a biometric entry-exit system.

Paul offers this legislation while announcing that he would be voting for the resolution denouncing President Trump’s action exercising emergency powers in order to get funding for his wall.
