Now that the federal government shutdown is over, Congressman Clay Higgins is setting his sights on passing a bill to bolster the existing immigration law. Higgins is co-sponsoring the “Securing America’s Future Act”. The St. Landry Parish Republican says he wants to cut through the Red Tape to ease the process of hiring an additional ten-thousand Border Patrol and Border Protection Agents.
Farm owners and crawfish producers have been concerned they won’t be able to hire agricultural workers. Higgins says this bill would create a guest worker program that would address the state’s agricultural and seafood processing needs.
Higgins adds there are provisions in the bill that would punish sanctuary cities, by withholding funds if deported criminals illegally return to the U.S and are protected in those municipalities. New Orleans currently prohibits police officers from asking suspects about their immigration status. Higgins is tired of these cities disrespecting federal laws.
The bill is authored by Republican Virginia Representative Bob Goodlatte and has 77 co-sponsors. The bill is currently being considered by several subcommittees.