Immigration News Bits from the Beltway

Extension of Patriot Act

Congressional leaders reached a deal Thursday to extend key provisions of the Patriot Act, the government’s premier anti-terrorism law. However, prominent Democratic senators said they opposed the compromise, and one threatened a veto. Under the deal, two of 16 provisions set to expire at the end of the year will be extended for four years, Sen. Arlen Specter, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee announced. The remaining 14 provisions will be made permanent. The controversial U.S. anti-terrorism law passed in the months after the September 11, 2001, attacks and expanded government surveillance powers. The deal marks Congress’ first revision of the law.

Border Enforcement

On December 8, 2005, the House Judiciary Committee approved legislation “preventing illegal immigration and bolstering border security,” or so says the Committee. http://judiciary.house.gov/

KJ