iLegislative Activity
Immigration Reform Unlikely to Move in Foreseeable Future
After weeks of back and forth, the House and Senate successfully passed legislation funding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the end of the fiscal year. The final bill did not include controversial provisions blocking implementation of the President’s recent executive actions on immigration.
Despite Republican attempts to include these policy riders, immigration reform will likely not return to the top of the agenda in the foreseeable future. Senate Republicans are expected to focus instead on the budget, several trade initiatives – including two major trade deals and renewal of Trade Promotion Authority – and potential tax reform. In the House, several immigration bills are working through the committee process, though House leadership has provided no information on if or when they may be given floor time.
This Week’s Hearings:
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Tuesday, March 17: The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will host a hearing titled “Securing the Southwest Border: Perspectives from Beyond the Beltway.”
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Tuesday, March 17: The House Homeland Security Committee Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security will host a hearing titled “Combating Terrorist Travel: Does the Visa Waiver Program Keep Our Nation Safe?”
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Tuesday, March 17: The Senate Judiciary Committee will host a hearing titled “Immigration Reforms Needed to Protect Skilled American Workers.”
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Tuesday, March 17: The House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Homeland Security will host a hearing on proposed FY 2016 appropriations with Joseph Clancy, Director of the U.S. Secret Service.
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Wednesday, March 18: The House Homeland Security Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Management will host a hearing titled “Unmanned Aerial System Threats: Exploring Security Implications and Mitigation Technologies.”
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Thursday, March 19: The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will host a hearing titled “Examining Federal Rulemaking Challenges and Areas of Improvement Within the Existing Regulatory Process.”
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Thursday, March 19: The House Homeland Security Committee Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications will host a hearing titled “Agents of Opportunity: Responding to the Threat of Chemical Terrorism.”
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Thursday, March 19: The Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Homeland Security will host a hearing on proposed FY 2016 appropriations with Joseph Clancy, Director of the U.S. Secret Service.
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Thursday, March 19: The House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Homeland Security will host a hearing on proposed FY 2016 appropriations with Melvin Caraway, Acting Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration.
Executive Branch Activity
Administration Appeals Federal Judge Injunction Blocking Executive Actions on Immigration
The President’s proposed executive actions on immigration continue to be blocked by an injunction originally issued by Texas Federal Judge Andrew Hanen. This week, Judge Hanen declined the government’s request to swiftly reconsider his decision, ruling that he will wait to decide until after the case has been fully argued. Judge Hanen has also asked the Administration to clarify actions taken between the President’s November 24, 2014, announcement and the Judge Hanen’s February 16, 2015, order blocking implementation of the President’s immigration actions, following acknowledgement by the U.S. Department of Justice that the Federal government issued 100,000 new three-year “deferred action” grants and work permits during that time.
On Thursday, Obama Administration attorneys appealed Judge Hanen’s original injunction to the Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. The Justice Department filing asked the Appeals court to lift the injunction entirely as appeal moves forward; in the alternative, it suggested narrowing its application to Texas only. The Justice Department has also filed a separate motion to expedite consideration of its appeal. The 5th Circuit announced Friday that it had denied the Justice Department’s request for expedited review; the appeals court will consider both the emergency motion lifting the injunction and as well as the request for an expedited appeal at the same time.
