Vitter backs immigration bill package

• By GERARD SHIELDS
• Advocate Washington bureau
• Published: Mar 6, 2008 - Page: 13A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. David Vitter joined a dozen Republican Party colleagues Wednesday in unveiling 15 bills aimed at reducing illegal immigration.

The Louisiana Republican said he hopes to use the pressure of an election year to coax colleagues to support the measures.
As early as today, Vitter is expected to introduce two pieces of legislation.

The first measure would deny cities that fail to enforce illegal immigration laws, known as “sanctuary cities,” access to grants that provide federal funds to hire more police officers.

The second measure would prevent illegal Mexican immigrants from using documents from their country to open U.S. bank accounts and apply for credit cards.

“I think there is enormous public pressure to act on enforcement,” Vitter said.

Getting support for the measures from Democratic Party colleagues could prove difficult.

Vitter offered the police officer amendment in October but failed to get the necessary votes to adopt it. The measure was tabled by a vote of 52-42.

Senate Republicans would have to get 60 votes to overcome any Democratic Party filibuster to legislation.

Last year, a comprehensive immigration bill to grant the estimated 12 million illegal aliens in the nation a path to citizenship failed, 53-46.

The package of legislation proposed Wednesday includes bills that would step up completion of a border fence, establish English as a national language, discourage states from granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants and set minimum mandatory sentences for illegal immigrants caught repeatedly coming into the United States.

Earlier in the day, Vitter announced on the Senate floor the formation of a new caucus, the Border Security and Enforcement First Caucus.

In announcing the group, Vitter pointed to statistics showing one out of every 25 people living in the United States is an illegal immigrant.

“It’s really staggering when you think about it,” Vitter said.