The provisions on border security have already been called the, toughest bordersecurity requirements ever and the

introduction of this bill recognizes a primary tenet of its success depends on securing the sovereignty of the United States. As a nation we have always welcomed newcomers to the United States and will continue to do so. But in order to qualify for that honor not the right of eventual citizenship they must respect our laws. We deserve that much from those who seek to call themselves Americans. As a nation, we have earned the right to make our borders safe, control the flow of legal immigration, and shut off illegal immigration. Every part of the immigration bill is premised on the right and need of the United States to protect its border and maintain its sovereignty. Even though we dramatically increased the resources sent to secure the border, illegal immigration has not stopped. Our legislation creates a multi-layered approach to halting illegal immigration. o Dedicates $4.5 billion to implement additional border security measures. o Creates a metric to ensure the Border Patrol has a 90 percent chance of detaining or turning away any illegal border crosser in high-risk areas. o Mandates the Border Patrol has persistent surveillance in all high-risk sectors. o Ensures we know who enters and leaves our country by requiring implementation of an Electronic Exit System at airports and seaports. o Creates a Southern Border Security Plan and Southern Border Fencing Plan. o If necessary, creates a Border Commission led by local officials to make additional recommendations on border security and provides an additional $2 billion to implement the Commissions recommendations.
1 Background on Immigration Reform Proposal| Prepared by Office of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (UPDATED: April 15, 2013)

 Halting illegal immigration today and in the future does not stop at the border. Our legislation: o Creates a mandatory, nationwide E-VERIFY system to prevent any illegal immigrant in the future from obtaining employment. (The State of South Carolina already requires businesses to use E-VERIFY.) o Increases the penalties for employers who knowingly hire illegal labor Our legal immigration system also should meet the needs of our modern economy. This legislation transitions our current system away from family reunification to a merit-based/skills system. o Eliminates the Diversity Lottery o Awards green cards through a merit based point system that awards characteristics such as education, employment, and the ability to speak English. o Increases available visas to highly educated science, technology, engineering and math graduates. o Provides a practical avenue for business to obtain temporary foreign labor in industries such as agriculture and tourism when a job is listed and no American accepts the position.

Most importantly, only when the borders are certified secured will the 11 million illegal immigrants be able to begin the process of attaining citizenship. The path to citizenship is tough but fair. Citizenship will have to be earned and will not disadvantage anyone waiting in line and playing by the rules. The process includes: Required to undergo criminal background checks and if passed; Obtain probationary status as a Registered Provisional Immigrant (RPI) Forced to pay $2,000 in fines for illegal entry into the United States; Forced to pay any back taxes; Required to remain employed and pay taxes on future income they earn; Ineligible for welfare programs and Obamas health care plan for 10 years; Required to undergo an assimilation test and demonstrate knowledge of American history; o Forced to become proficient in English; o Forced to go to the back of the immigration line; and o Process will take a MINIMUM of 13 years to complete before gaining citizenship. o o o o o o o
2 Background on Immigration Reform Proposal| Prepared by Office of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (UPDATED: April 15, 2013)