Rep. Goodlatte

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) reintroduced his SAFE for America Act (H.R.704) this week, which would in effect shut down the Visa Lottery. The lottery issues 50,000 green cards per year without any regard to their humanitarian needs, what they might offer the country or their having any family connections here.

Rep. Goodlatte had planned to introduce an amendment to H.R.1, the Continuing Resolution to fund the federal government for the remainder of FY2011, that would have prevented funding from the bill going towards the administration of the lottery. After several days of floor debate, however, Rep. Goodlatte was not allowed to introduce his amendment.

H.R.704 was introduced with 12 original co-sponsors.