How is the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act different from the Comprehensive Enforcement and Immigration Act of 2005, recently introduced by Senator John Cornyn and Senator Jon Kyl?
The Comprehensive Enforcement and Immigration Reform Act of 2005 (CEIRA) does not include many of the provisions included in the Secure America Act. For instance, it does not include any provisions to legalize undocumented workers in the United States or to address family unity visa backlogs. It also contains many enforcement provisions which would unduly harm immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Specifically, CEIRA requires that undocumented workers currently in the United States apply for mandatory departure to their country-of-origin and return home prior to applying for a new temporary worker program. After the first year that a worker does not apply for mandatory departure, a $2,000 dollar penalty is assessed upon re-entry, which increases each subsequent year. The temporary worker program grants a visa of two years to a worker, who must return home for a year after its expiration. Family members may visit no longer than 30 days within a year. There is no access to permanent
