America needs comprehensive immigration reform

While I am strongly opposed to illegal immigration and believe that our immigration laws should be strictly enforced, there is near-universal agreement that our system is broken and in need of reform. 

Immigration reform is a national security issue of critical importance.  We need to know who is in our country and who is crossing our borders.  I believe that everyone who comes into the United States must be screened and every worker must have legal authorization to work.  Reform will allow us to focus our resources on criminals, terrorists, and those who wish to do us harm. 

I believe reform should include strong and effective enforcement of our borders, tough sanctions against employers who hire undocumented immigrants, a temporary worker program, and an opportunity for undocumented immigrants currently in this country to get right with the law and earn their way to U.S. citizenship if they work hard for several years, learn English, pay their taxes, pass a criminal background check, and pay fines and penalties for being here unlawfully. 

I support immigration reform that protects the U.S. economy and American competitiveness, while also safeguarding the rights and wages of American workers. 

Hard-working immigrants have been crucial to the strong economic growth Nevada has witnessed in recent years, and I believe we need immigration reform to ensure our state’s continued economic health.  Reform is also important to keep Nevada’s families – many of which include U.S. citizens or immigrants legally in the United States, as well as undocumented members – together. 

We must not forget that we are a nation founded on and built by immigrants.  Our grandparents and great-grandparents came here to pursue the American dream, and we should honor that proud heritage as we work to reform our immigration laws. 

The Senate passed S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006, by a vote of 62 – 36 on May 25, 2006.   I supported passage of this legislation.  This bill must now be sent to a conference committee with the House immigration bill, H.R. 4437. 

The Dream Act

I am a co-sponsor and strong supporter of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, because I believe that education is the key to our children’s future and our success as a nation.  The DREAM Act would make it easier for young people who aren’t U.S. citizens to attend college by allowing them to pay in-state tuition rates and receive financial aid.  Students applying for these benefits would have to meet certain criteria, including earning a high school diploma, demonstrating good moral character, and passing criminal and security clearances.  Passing the DREAM Act will give more of our children an opportunity to succeed.  The DREAM Act was included in S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 1996.  I hope it will soon be enacted, so we can put the dream of a college education within reach for more of Nevada’s children.