A New York Times’ story reveals that immigration officials at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have begun preparations for issuing visas to 11-18 million illegal aliens who would be granted an amnesty if Congress is able to pass immigration reform legislation.
“We are under way to prepare for that,” USCIS director Alejandro Mayorkas told the paper.
Mayorkas also said that Pres. Obama has told the agency that amnesty would be part of an immigration reform bill, so the agency is trying to be ready for the massive influx of visa applications.
The first step the agency is taking is to set up lockboxes around the country that visa applications can be mailed to. Mayorkas and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano have held meetings across the country listening to ideas, and one possible idea is for illegal aliens to begin the visa process already by filling out forms that verify their current presence in the United States and then mailing the form to the lockboxes.
Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) who is the senior Republican on the House Immigration Subcommittee expressed concern for the early preparations.
“There is a risk to national security that they will take their eyes off background checks of immigrants. While they are busy setting up for legislation that has not been introduced in any way, shape or form.”
The Senate Immigration Subcommittee lead by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) will hold another immigration reform hearing on Oct. 8.