Murtha Cosponsors Bi-Partisan SAVE ACT

SAVE Act Secures America’s Borders, Provides Employers with Tools to Verify Work Eligibility, and Enforces Current Laws

November 8, 2007 -- (Washington D.C.)- Congressman John P. Murtha, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, announced that yesterday the Secure America through Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act of 2007 was introduced in the House of Representatives. Congressman Murtha joined over 80 Democrats and Republicans in cosponsoring this legislation, which was introduced by Congressman Heath Shuler.

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The SAVE Act will reduce illegal immigration by placing strict emphasis on border security, employer verification, and enforcement of federal laws.

“This bipartisan bill will help our law enforcement agencies provide tighter border security and give our employers the resources they need to verify documented and undocumented workers,” noted Murtha.

The SAVE Act addresses border security by increasing manpower and making needed technological and infrastructure improvements on America’s northern and southern borders, including 8,000 new Border Patrol Agents.

It expands the E-Verify program to provide all employers with the tools they need to ensure that their employees are here legally. The E-Verify program is a simple, effective, and free program that allows employers to quickly ensure that the people they hire are legally allowed to work in the United States. This program will be phased-in over a four year period.

The SAVE Act also provides the tools, resources and infrastructure necessary to enforce existing federal laws and penalize offenders. It increases the investigative abilities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement with more agents and more training. Additionally, it provides assistance for state and local law enforcement.

“This is the kind of common sense approach that I hope will move the immigration debate forward and ensure that our nation’s immigration laws are enforceable and fair,” added Murtha.

Source: Congressman John P. Murtha