December 1, 2017 Radio Commentary

Visas and Terrorism

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, December 1, 2017 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Last year, when Governor Nathan Deal asked for an immediate halt to the sending of refugees into Georgia, a U.N. official rejected his request, increased the allotment, and sent even more refugees to Georgia, and they’re in no danger of being sent back.  Often, they are sent in the dead of night without local notification.  So, communities don’t know when they’re coming or where they’ll be placed, but they’re here to stay and thrive on generous welfare benefits – from cash to job training and everything in between.

The terrorist who rented a pick-up truck to mow down New York pedestrians and bicyclists was the contact for 23 others to come from Uzbekistan to join him here.  But he was not a refugee.  He got a visa in 2010 through the 1990 Diversity Visa Program that annually brings in 50,000 nationals from six different regions.  To qualify for the program, refugees must have a high school education or two years of work experience.  Once a refugee enters the U.S. under the that program, an unlimited number of relatives can come, too, but that may change soon.

On February 13th U.S. Senators Cotton of Arkansas and Perdue of Georgia introduced, S.354, the Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy Act, also known as the RAISE Act.  It was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee of eleven Republicans and nine Democrats.  Republican Senator Chuck Grassley is chairman.The RAISE Act would eliminate the diversity lottery program, altogether; it would cut in half the number of immigrants that come here legally every year; it would limit the number of foreign nationals that come here to join relatives; and no one over age 21 could come as an alien’s “immediate relative” or “family-sponsored immigrant.”

Six months after it was introduced, President Trump announced the RAISE Act as a step toward fixing the immigration law and mentioned it again after the New York truck attack. To encourage Senator Grassley to pass the RAISE Act out of committee, call 1 877-762-8762 and ask for his office.

President Obama expanded the refugee program by establishing the White House Task Force on New Americans to develop a coordinated federal strategy to assist the refugees and illegal aliens.  Eighteen federal agencies and department heads were appointed to that task force, but President Trump is working to counteract its effect.  For Georgia Insight, I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.