Congressman Dent presents Homeland
Security funding to the Gilbertsville Fire and Rescue Company, which
will use the money to buy a new fire truck. Pictured with the
Congressman are Fire Chief Ricky Smith (holding check) and Deputy Chief
Steve Volpe. |
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Common sense, rule of law must prevail in immigration debate
By U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent
In 1988, two years after President Reagan and Congress granted amnesty to
millions of illegal aliens and promised to secure the border, I visited San
Diego. On a pleasant evening at dusk, I walked through the customs point at San
Diego into Mexico.
Just before entering Mexico and as I looked eastward into the desert, I
witnessed an unforgettable spectacle about to occur not more than a few miles
from the official customs point of entry into one of the nation’s heaviest
border crossings.
Literally scores of people in Mexico, scattered about the desert, were poised to
make the mad dash across the border. What's worse, no one seemed prepared to do
anything about it.
I recall asking a customs official at the time, “Why are you wasting your time
with me? The problem is over there, in clear sight.”
Fast forward to 2005. As a Congressman who serves on the House Homeland Security
Committee, I voted with pride for a law that allowed for the completion of a
14-mile fence near San Diego along the Mexican border. Construction began in
1994 and was delayed all these years because of possible risk to some endangered
species. Apparently, the fence presented a greater problem to the endangered
habitat than did the parade of illegal immigrants tramping down on it.
The fence would also close off a desolate area called “Smuggler’s Gulch.” One
can only guess how the gulch got its name, so I don’t think it’s something we’ll
miss.
Following our efforts to enforce border security, on 25 May 2006, the United
States Senate passed S. 2611 — the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006
— which is supported by President Bush. I oppose this legislation.
A large number of people living in this country illegally originally entered
legally. The U.S. Customs and Immigration Service issues temporary visas in 70
different categories. Many of the 9-11 terrorists entered the United States with
visas in hand. If we cannot properly manage those already here who entered
legally with visas, and we certainly aren’t controlling who comes here
illegally, then how are we going to keep track of any workers who would come
here under any new, legal guest worker program?
The Senate legislation also establishes a pathway to legal status — what many
would call amnesty — and allow them to earn citizenship over a period of years.
This provision — like an ill-conceived Social Security provision granting
benefits to illegal aliens — rewards illegal behavior and punishes individuals
who arrived through the front door in accordance with the law. I oppose amnesty
and believe any discussion about a guest worker program should occur only after
the border is operationally secure.
I predict that the different waiting periods required as a prerequisite for
citizenship contained in the Senate bill will lead to massive document fraud.
Today many illegals are attempting, often successfully, to obtain phony driver's
licenses and social security numbers. Just imagine the growth of this
underground industry in document fraud if this convoluted provision became law.
The better approach, I believe, is the one the House of Representatives took in
HR 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control
of 2005. This bill, for which I voted, makes border security our top priority in
immigration policy. It authorizes 2,000 new border patrol agents per year from
fiscal 2007 through 2010, as well as the construction of 8000 new detention beds
over the same timeframe. It further provides for the building of 700 miles of
high-security fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border. Furthermore, it makes the
unlawful presence of an undocumented worker in this country a crime, and it ends
our policy of “catch and release” for certain illegals that have been caught
sneaking across the border.
I believe border security is one of the most important issues facing Americans
today. It is estimated that there are 12 million illegal aliens in the United
States. Let's stop the bleeding and prevent that 12 million from becoming 15
million, 18 million or 25 million, and then we can consider next steps.
The American people should expect no less from the leaders of a great and
sovereign nation dedicated to a noble principle — rule of law.
Congressman Charlie Dent represents Pennsylvania’s 15th District, which
includes all or parts of Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, and Montgomery counties.
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