LISTENING POST - SURVEY PART 3 IMMIGRATION Working for you in Washington, I spend a lot of time standing up for Texas and speaking out for our state. Bringing a Texas voice to our national debates sometimes means big policy initiatives, like when I work for tax relief or investment in scientific research. At other times, I make sure the particular needs of our state are met. For example, I am working to pass legislation to get Texas fully reimbursed for the expense of helping evacuees from Hurricane Katrina. While I am speaking for Texans in Washington, I remain mindful of Winston Churchill’s statement that, “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” I listen to Texans in a variety of ways, including meeting with people at events around Texas, reading letters that you send to me in Washington, and saying, “Hello,” to those who visit our nation’s capital. Another important part of listening to you is asking for your input through surveys. One issue of vital importance to both our state and our nation is immigration. Immigration is an area where Texans are especially knowledgeable, sharing a 1,254-mile border with Mexico. I would like to ask you some specific questions on immigration so I can have your thoughts to help guide me while national policy is forming in Washington. To submit your answers, please click on the "Submit Your Survey" button at the bottom of the page or print out and mail your completed survey to the contact information listed at the end of this column. After receiving your responses, I will write a follow-up column later this year. Survey: For each answer, please indicate whether you agree, disagree, or are neutral. 1. In general, our current immigration and border security system… Agree Disagree Neutral: permits too many people to illegally enter the country. Agree Disagree Neutral: admits too many legal immigrants. Agree Disagree Neutral: does not allow enough legal immigration. Agree Disagree Neutral: makes legal immigration too difficult, and thus encourages illegal immigration. Agree Disagree Neutral: is good; no reasonable system would catch every illegal immigrant. Comments: 2. The biggest problem with our current immigration and border security system is that… Agree Disagree Neutral: it does not concentrate enough on protecting physical border crossings. Agree Disagree Neutral: it does not focus enough on finding and deporting illegal immigrants once they have entered the U.S. Agree Disagree Neutral: it does not address the conditions in foreign countries that cause people to leave them. Agree Disagree Neutral: children born in the U.S. to parents here illegally automatically become citizens. Comments: 3. A way to better incorporate new, legal immigrants to our society would be to… Agree Disagree Neutral: help new immigrants to learn and improve their English. Agree Disagree Neutral: assist new immigrants to become familiar with our laws and regulations, especially traffic laws and labor regulations. Agree Disagree Neutral: connect new immigrants with churches and with volunteer mentors, so they can find individuals who will take a personal interest in helping them make a smooth transition to a new culture. Agree Disagree Neutral: assure that immigrants who seek citizenship adopt the ideals and values that contribute to a strong America. Comments: 4. Methods the federal government should focus on to decrease illegal immigration into the United States include… Agree Disagree Neutral: increasing the number of Border Patrol agents. Agree Disagree Neutral: finding new ways to use technology, such as aerial surveillance of the border. Agree Disagree Neutral: building more physical barriers to illegal entry, such as walls or fences. Agree Disagree Neutral: refusing to grant amnesty to people who entered the U.S. illegally. Agree Disagree Neutral: improving the efficiency of the process that permits immigrants to bring their family members into the U.S. Agree Disagree Neutral: increasing the penalties for individuals who knowingly employ illegal immigrants. Comments: 5. What are your major concerns about illegal immigration?
Survey: For each answer, please indicate whether you agree, disagree, or are neutral.
1. In general, our current immigration and border security system…
2. The biggest problem with our current immigration and border security system is that…
3. A way to better incorporate new, legal immigrants to our society would be to…
4. Methods the federal government should focus on to decrease illegal immigration into the United States include…
5. What are your major concerns about illegal immigration?
