(Note: the post below has been corrected. The cellular telephones provided for in the legislation are not aimed at new immigrants, but at Americans living or working near the border, as Matthew Boyle’s article at Big Government notes. Keep in mind that the bill does not specify Americans, but instead those residing along the border. No mention of being U.S. Citizens or residents as Rubio states)
With the new “Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act” finally being filed in the U.S. Senate, concerns over how much money the immigration reform bill will cost an already debt-ridden United States continues to swirl among Americans who are already strapped for cash.
Move over “Obama phone,” we present the new “Hola, Como Estas?!” MarcoPhone.
Here is the actual mention of the free phones in the bill:
SEC. 1107. ACCESS TO EMERGENCY PERSONNEL. (a) SOUTHWEST BORDER REGION EMERGENCY COM-MUNICATIONS GRANTS.–
The Secretary, in consultation with the governors of the States in the Southwest Border region, shall establish a 2-year grant program, to be administered by the Secretary, to improve emergency communications in the Southwest
ELIGIBILITY FOR GRANTS.–An individual is eligible to receive a grant under this subsection if the individual demonstrates that he or she– (A) regularly resides or works in the Southwest Border region; is at greater risk of border violence due to the lack of cellular service at his or her residence or business and his or her proximity to the Southern border. (3) USE OF GRANTS.–Grants awarded under this subsection may be used to purchase satellite telephone communications systems and service that– (A) can provide access to 9-1-1 service; and (B) are equipped with global positioning
Cross-Posted at The Shark Tank
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.