Washington, D.C. -While the Senate seeks to pass compromise legislation regarding immigration reform, Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO) today reaffirmed his commitment to border security and continues to support the House's version of immigration legislation.
The House has passed the Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005, which combats the hiring of illegal workers by providing a reliable method of determining whether persons are legally eligible for employment. It also ends the "catch and release" practice for illegal immigrants from countries other than Mexico. In the past year alone, an estimated 120,000 illegal immigrants from countries other than Mexico have been released due to the lack of mandatory detention prior to adjudication. The bill also authorizes the building of 700 miles of fence along the U.S. border with Mexico to prevent illegal crossings.
"Illegal immigration is an affront to our nation's laws and must be addressed in a meaningful way," said Akin. "Not enforcing our immigration laws is not only an insult to those who are attempting to become citizens legally, but is also a security risk and exposes citizens to an unfair tax burden by having to provide services to those who are here unlawfully."
"Offering amnesty to illegal aliens decades ago resulted
in more not less illegal immigration," said Akin. "I do not
intend to vote for any bill that rewards illegal behavior."
Congressman Akin is running an online poll on immigration
legislation on his website at http://www.house.gov/akin.
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