There are many issues related to Democracy that Congress is looking to address with legislation.

We have identified three issues for particular focus: Border Security, Work Visas, and Dreamers. This post summarizes the key challenges and solutions around Immigration and the ways Congress and the government are addressing them. Go to the posts on each issue to learn more about each issue and how Congress is addressing the problems.

In the Discussion section of this post, you can ask our curators questions, make suggestions, and discuss other issues related to Democracy not being addressed in the three focused issues.

This post on Border Security is 1 of 3 issues that US onAir curators are focusing on in the Immigration category.

In the United States, border security includes the protection of ports, airports, and the country’s 3,017-mile (4,855 km) land border with Canada and 1,933-mile (3,111 km) border with Mexico. The U.S. concept of border security is deeply entwined with the persistent actual or perceived threat of terrorism, as well as more universal concerns such as immigration control, smuggling, and human trafficking. As such, the U.S. federal government is constantly reevaluating and adjusting its border security policies to reflect the perceived threats posed to the United States.

The House Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee  within the House Homeland Security Committee
along with the House Judiciary’s Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement have jurisdiction over border security.

This post on Work Visas is 1 of 3 issues that US onAir curators are focusing on in the Immigration category.

A citizen of a foreign country who wishes to work in the United States must first get the right visa.  If the employment is for a fixed period, the applicant can apply for a temporary employment visa.  There are 11 temporary worker visa categories.  Most applicants for temporary worker visas must have an approved petition.  The prospective employer must file the petition on behalf of the applicant.  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reviews the petition.

Source: Dept. of State

This post on Dreamers is 1 of 3 issues that US onAir curators are focusing on in the Immigration category.

The recipients of DACA are young people who have grown up as Americans, identify themselves as Americans, and many speak only English and have no memory of or connection with the country where they were born. Under current immigration law, most of these young people had no way to gain legal residency even though they have lived in the U.S. most of their lives.

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the U.S. federal executive department responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior or home ministries of other countries.

Its stated missions involve anti-terrorism, border security, immigration and customs, cyber security, and disaster prevention and management.

Mission:  
The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC) is the Senate’s primary oversight committee with broad jurisdiction over government operations generally and the Department of Homeland Security in particular.

House counterparts: Committee on Homeland Security and Committee on Oversight and Reform

Democratic Members (Majority):
Gary Peters, Michigan, Chair
Tom Carper, Delaware
Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire
Kyrsten Sinema, Arizona
Jacky Rosen, Nevada
Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut
Jon Ossoff, Georgia
Laphonza Butler, California

Republican Members (Minority):
Rand Paul, Kentucky, Ranking member
Ron Johnson, Wisconsin
James Lankford, Oklahoma
Mitt Romney, Utah
Rick Scott, Florida
Josh Hawley, Missouri
Roger Marshall, KS

The committee conducts oversight and handles legislation (and resolutions) related to the security of the United States. The committee has authorization and policy oversight responsibilities over the Department of Homeland Security.

Senate counterpart: Senate Committee on Homeland Security 

Subcommittees:

• Border Security and Enforcement
• Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement and Intelligence
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection
• Emergency Management and Technology
• Oversight, Investigations and Accountability
• Transportation and Maritime Security

Chair: Mark Green, Tennessee (R)
Ranking Member: Bennie Thompson, Mississippi (D)

Majority Staff Director: Stephen Siao
Minority Staff Director:  Hope Goins
Meeting Location: H2-176 Ford House Office Building Washington, DC 20515;  (202) 226-8417

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