WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans are set to announce today the hardest-hitting package of immigration enforcement measures seen yet — one that would require jail time for illegal immigrants caught crossing the border, make it harder for them to open bank accounts and compel them to communicate in English when dealing with federal agencies.
Most of the bills stand little chance of being debated in the Democratic-controlled Congress, but the move underscores how potent the issue of immigration remains, particularly in a presidential election year.
The bills give Republicans a way to put pressure on the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates to take a tougher stance on immigration. They also reflect a shift toward harsher immigration rhetoric and legislative proposals from both parties since Congress failed to pass a comprehensive overhaul in 2007.
One element of the package would discourage states from issuing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants by docking 10 percent of highway funding from states that do so. A bill by Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., who is leading the effort, would impose a maximum two-year jail term on anyone caught crossing the border a second time.
