Immigration

Our current immigration system is badly broken. Currently, more than 11 million people are estimated to be living in this country without documentation. Each year, hundreds of thousands more individuals cross the border illegally, posing serious economic, health, and national security risks. Good immigration policy starts with strong and effective border control. I support legislation that would give the Department of Homeland Security the resources it needs to bring our borders back under control, and I will continue to work to improve border security in my role as co-chair of the Northern Border Caucus.

Despite their rhetoric, the Republican majority has not put sufficient resources into border protection. In 2004, I voted for 9-11 Commission legislation that would add 10,000 new Border Patrol agents over five years, 2000 per year. The President and the Republican-controlled Congress, however, have repeatedly under-funded border security. The President’s 2006 budget added only 210 agents, and the most recent Homeland Security appropriations bill falls 800 border patrol agents and 500 immigration enforcement agents short of authorized levels. At a time when our border is under more strain than ever, these shortfalls are unacceptable.

In December of 2005, the House of Representatives passed HR 4437, which would have made living in this country without proper documentation a felony punishable by over a year in prison, even in the case of children who were brought here by their parents. The bill would also criminalize health care workers, church officials, social workers, and anyone else who provides assistance of any kind to an undocumented immigrant, threatening them with felony sentences of up to five years. HR 4437 would build fencing in high-traffic areas along our southern border, would require all illegal immigrants to voluntarily leave the country and increase penalties for repeat violators.

While I strongly support better border enforcement, I believe that HR 4437 was a political gesture rather than a real solution. Like past proposals to stop illegal immigration, HR 4437 included strong language but insufficient planning and funding for border security and employment enforcement. I voted against this bill, which was opposed by numerous religious, civil rights, and political leaders, including President Bush, and which would overwhelm federal, state and local law enforcement with impossible new mandates.

For too long, America has ignored the flow of illegal immigration into our country. In 2004, for example, the federal government only took action to cite three employers for hiring illegal aliens, a historic low. I oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants, and I believe that a fresh, new approach must be undertaken that will stop the flow of illegal immigration, secure the border, enforce the law, and require everyone to earn their citizenship. None of this will occur without proper funding and constant oversight by the U.S. Congress. Immigration is a serious issue, and it deserves a serious answer. As Congress works to craft a compromise package in the coming months, I will continue to be a voice for real immigration reform, and strong, effective border security.
 

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From the Floor of the House

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