Washington, D.C.
– Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-TX) and Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Peter T. King (R-NY) released the following statements on the Senate’s ill-conceived proposal to provide amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants:
Ranking Member Smith: “This proposal would do lasting damage to the country, American workers, and the rule of law. Amnesty puts lawbreakers ahead of those who are law-abiding, puts foreign workers ahead of American workers, and encourages even more illegal immigration. The American people aren’t demanding amnesty, they are demanding border security. We need border security, but we don’t need amnesty to secure the border. Just because someone is in the country illegally doesn’t mean we have to give them citizenship, the greatest honor our country can bestow. Some want to sell citizenship to lawbreakers for the price of a fine. Amnesty treats illegal immigrants better than those who play by the rules and come in the right way.”
Ranking Member King: “As the
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terror plot demonstrated last week, illegal immigration is clearly a homeland security issue. Granting amnesty would reward lawbreakers and legalize scores of criminals and terror suspects that are currently here illegally, making it that much easier for them to operate within our society undetected. In reality, the Senate’s amnesty proposal will only serve to weaken the security of our homeland, and I strongly oppose the measure. A country which cannot control its borders loses control of its destiny.”