No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveU.S. House of Representatives Approves Border Barrier

U.S. House of Representatives Approves Border Barrier

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives succeeded Sept.14 in passing a bill that calls for the construction of a 1,125-kilometer barrier along the border with Mexico.

The measure, approved with a vote of 283-138, will now be sent to the U.S. Senate, where many Republicans already helped pass a bill in May for comprehensive immigration reform including a guest-worker program and paths toward legalization for undocumented migrants.

Thursday’s debate and vote in the House was a further indication of the divisions between Democrats and Republicans over how to halt the flow of undocumented foreigners into the United States.

Prior to the final vote, House Democrats – hoping to buy time and more support for comprehensive immigration reform – tried to stop the measure with a motion that would have sent it back to the Homeland Security Committee.

But that motion was rejected by a vote of 224-193, as Republicans formed a united front in favor of the hard-line bill introduced less than 24 hours earlier by New York Representative Peter King.

The punitive legislation incorporates most of the elements of an enforcement-only bill sponsored by Wisconsin Rep. James Sensenbrenner that was approved by the House last December by a vote of 260-159.

That legislation, which also called for construction of hundreds of miles of additional barriers along the border and made no provision for legalization, sparked protests among the immigrant community.

House Republicans, instead of sitting down with senators in a conference committee to reconcile their bill with the one passed by the upper chamber in May, decided to hold public hearings around the country – many of them in border cities –that appeared to be aimed at justifying their opposition to the immigrant-friendly measures approved by the Senate.

 

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s Congress Expands Organized Crime Probe, Summons Ex-Presidents

Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly is intensifying its investigation into alleged links between public officials and organized crime. Earlier today, the Special Permanent Commission on...

Costa Rica’s Pride March 2025 Defies Restrictions and Celebrates Diversity

A large crowd gathered in Paseo Colón, San José, to participate in the LGBTIQ+ Pride March 2025. It began at noon, as people marched...

Costa Rica’s Chaves Slams Supreme Court as “National Disgrace” in Corruption Case

On Wednesday, President Rodrigo Chaves didn’t hold back. In his weekly press conference, he slammed the Supreme Court, calling it a “national disgrace” that’s...

Costa Rica to Launch Electric Air Taxis for Sustainable Travel in Guanacaste

Costa Rica is poised to revolutionize its transportation landscape with the introduction of electric air taxis, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional ground travel...

When Will Poás Volcano National Park Reopen? Here’s What We Know

Although Poás Volcano has entered a more stable phase and the alert level has been lowered to green, the national park will remain closed...

El Salvador Slams Paris Fashion Show Inspired by Cecot Mega-Prison Inmates

The president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, joked on Saturday that he could send inmates from his mega-prison to France, after they were represented...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica