Rep. Diane Black (R-TN) has just submitted legislation that puts some punishment behind basic immigration enforcement. Her Zero Tolerance for Illegal Entry Act would make the first illegal border crossing a felony rather than a misdemeanor. The bill would also make E-Verify mandatory and would redirect funding from sanctuary cities to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

Rep. Black says she wants to create “disincentives” for persons considering a break-in to America by making illegal entry a felony, and that upgrade in crime makes a difference to foreigners. Having a felony record would prevent a person from entering legally and getting a greed card, something she hopes will chill the impulse of job thieves.

(Spare video.)

NumbersUSA endorses the legislation:

Rep. Black Introduces Legislation to Mandate E-Verify & Strengthen Immigration Enforcement, NumbersUSA, July 11, 2018

Rep. Diane Black (R-Tenn.) introduced legislation on Tuesday that would require all employers to use E-Verify and would make illegally crossing the border a felony for first-time offenders. Rep. Black says the Zero Tolerance for Illegal Entry Act, H.R. 6318, puts the interests of American citizens and legal immigrants ahead of illegal aliens.

“The United States government should never prioritize illegal immigrants over American citizens. We must have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to illegal border crossings and sanctuary cities, and we must give ICE the resources they need to do their job as they protect our nation. By no longer creating incentives to come to our country unlawfully, we also discourage families from sending their children on an often dangerous journey to reach our southern border.

“The Zero Tolerance for Illegal Entry Act works hand in hand with law enforcement to ensure that we are doing all we can to uphold the dignity of our border. President Trump has been clear about illegal immigration from day one, and we know that he is committed to protecting our nation for future generations. We must do all we can to deter the criminal abuse of our border – it has gone on for far too long.”

H.R. 6318 includes the Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act which has been authored by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). The E-Verify provision would require all employers to use E-Verify within one year and require all employers to run existing employees through the system within three years. The legislation would also increase the penalties for employers who fail to use E-Verify and require the Commissioner of Social Security, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of the Treasury to share information that would help lead to the identification of illegal workers.

The Zero Tolerance for Illegal Entry Act would also block sanctuary jurisdictions from receiving certain federal funding.

NumbersUSA has endorsed the legislation.

“NumbersUSA applauds Congressman Diane Black’s ‘Zero Tolerance for Illegal Entry Act,’ which would protect American jobs, reduce illegal immigration, and hold sanctuary jurisdictions accountable for obstructing the enforcement of Federal immigration law.”

You can read the bill here.