Today U.S. Representatives John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee released the following statements after the Departments of Homeland Security and State announced yesterday implementation of the Visa Waiver Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015: Re... Read more »
“H.R. 4240, the ‘No Fly for Foreign Fighters Act,’ is a common sense measure that supports the Terrorist Screening Database maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and, in doing so, will aid in our efforts to combat terrorism and keep our Nation safe. “Since 2003, the FBI's Terrorist Screening Center helps to identify those individuals known or reasonably suspected of being involved in ... Read more »
House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) announced that the Committee is working on legislation to "enhance visa security processing." In related press releases, he has argued that the Obama Administration is to blame for admitting one of the suspects in the San Bernardino attacks into the country in 2013. Last week, the Committee obtained a copy of Tashfeen Malik’s immigration file. Today, ... Read more »
Today, Reps. John Conyers (D-MI), Dan Kildee (D-MI), Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), joined by 29 Members of Congress, issued a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (R-NV) asking them to consider possible improvements to the House-passed version of H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act of 2015. The letter was si... Read more »
“Mr. Speaker, as much as any member in this body, I appreciate the unique situation our Nation is in as we struggle to effectively combat terrorism, while adhering to our Nation’s commitment to freedom and liberty. “I fully recognize and appreciate that the visa waiver bill before us today represents an effort to craft a more bipartisan response to recent terrorist incidents, particularly when com... Read more »
“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4038, the so-called ‘American SAFE Act,’ purports to make us safer. “But, as the Administration correctly observes, this measure ‘would provide no meaningful additional security for the American people.’ “Worse yet, it would effectively deny refugee status for Syrians and Iraqis who are themselves victims of terrorism in their homelands. “H.R. 4038 is a terribly flawed and inhu... Read more »
“This hearing, which focuses on the Syrian refugee crisis and its impact on the security of our Nation’s Refugee Admissions Program, has the potential to shed meaningful light on critical issues of interest to all Americans. “Unfortunately and with all due respect to our witnesses, the value of today’s undertaking is greatly diminished by the fact that immediately following the conclusion of this... Read more »
“Madam Attorney General, welcome to the House Judiciary Committee. “Nearly seven months ago, after much delay in the Senate, you took over for our friend Eric Holder at the Department of Justice. “With, not one, but two tours of duty as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, you are unquestionably the right leader at this moment for the important work of the Department. “Nowhere i... Read more »
U.S. Representatives John Conyers, Jr.(D-Mich.), Ranking Member on the House Judiciary Committee, and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Ranking Member on the Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee, delivered the following statement today after the Fifth Circuit issued an opinion Monday evening upholding a Texas district court ruling against Department of Homeland Security immigration directives issued... Read more »
