Sen. Jim Banks (R‑Ind.) warns that unless Congress passes a seven‑bill immigration package this year, Democrats could erase President Trump’s signature priorities once they control the Senate.
Banks Rolls Out Seven‑Bill Immigration Package
The package targets birthright citizenship, visa rules, commercial driver’s licenses and other policies Banks says must be codified before the midterms.
“I don’t just fear a Democrat majority. I fear a Democrat‑Socialist majority because the DSA who control today’s Democrat Party support wide open borders, they support eliminating ICE, they are anti‑law enforcement, they want to defund the police,” Banks said.
While Senate Democratic leaders differ from the Democratic Socialists of America, Banks argues a future Democratic Senate would be “owned by the socialist wing of their party.”
Dalilah Law Targets Illegal Truck Drivers
The “Dalilah Law” would bar states from issuing commercial driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants and certain foreign nationals, require English‑only testing and revoke existing licenses.
It was named after Dalilah Coleman, a first‑grader critically injured in a multi‑car pileup caused by an illegal immigrant truck driver.
Banks likens the measure to the Reagan‑era drinking‑age law that used federal transportation funds to force state compliance.
Broader Bill Elements
Other proposals add border security funding for the War Department, restrict chain migration and cut college grants for institutions that employ illegal immigrants.
The American Tech Workforce Act would raise the H‑1B minimum salary from $60,000 to $150,000, a change experts say could shrink foreign talent inflow.
Immigration attorneys warn the higher threshold would make the United States “far less attractive as a study destination” and push skilled workers toward Canada.
Reddy Neumann & Brown, a Texas immigration firm, notes many employers would be unable or unwilling to meet this threshold, effectively limiting H‑1B hiring to top tech companies or highly specialized roles.
Political Context
Banks says the seven bills are “common sense,” covering everything from illegal semi‑truck drivers to ending birthright citizenship and curbing chain migration.
He urges Congress to take control of Temporary Protected Status authority, arguing that future presidents will be unable to abuse the program without legislative oversight.
Fox News Digital reached out to Senate Majority Leader John Thune for comment on the package and potential expedited action before the midterms; no response was received.
Hannah Brennan contributed to this report.
