Immigration

Our nation’s immigration policy has daily consequences for our businesses, schools, communities, and our national security. It is an issue I hear about often from Kentuckians, and one I am glad people are paying attention to.

Since the immigration reform bill failed last summer, people have asked me what the federal government is doing to enforce the immigration laws that are already on the books.

On May 8, 2007, Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) introduced S. 1335, which would declare English the official language of the United States. I am proud to support that legislation, and I will continue to support efforts to preserve of our national language.

On June 10, 2007, I, along with eight of my colleagues in the Senate, sent a letter to President Bush urging him to enforce our existing border security laws.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez announced on August 10, 2007 a series of reforms the Administration would pursue to address border security and immigration challenges. For example, the Administration has committed to implementing the following border security measures by December 31, 2008: 18,300 Border Patrol agents, 370 miles of fencing, and 300 miles of vehicle barriers, 105 camera and radar towers, and three additional unmanned aerial vehicles. Additionally, the Administration will expand exit requirements so persons who overstay limited-duration visits to the United States can be identified.

On October 3, 2007, the Senate passed, by a vote of 95-1, an amendment by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to the Defense Appropriations bill that would improve border security. Specifically, this amendment appropriates $3 billion for fiscal year 2008 to improving border security. I was proud to support this amendment. Unfortunately, the Graham amendment was stripped from the final bill.

The DREAM Act is another immigration bill that the Senate has considered this year. This legislation would have allowed some illegal alien students to obtain amnesty and become citizens. On October 24, 2007, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid scheduled a vote to end debate and proceed to a vote on S. 2205, a version of the DREAM Act. The vote, which would have further restricted Senators’ rights to debate the bill, fell short of the required 60 votes by a vote of 52-44.

I was happy to oppose S. 2205, because I have fundamental concerns about giving taxpayer benefits to those who have entered our country illegally, regardless of the age of the alien.

I have also supported legislation which opposes states allowing illegal aliens to obtain driver’s licenses. You will be happy to know that I cosponsored a resolution, S.RES. 371, with Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) that would express the sense of the Senate that states should not issue driver's licenses or other photo identification to aliens who are unlawfully in the United States.

I also cosponsored a bill in the Senate on this issue. S. 2356, which was introduced by Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN), would prohibit states from issuing any driver’s licenses or photo identification card to any individual unless it requires evidence of lawful status.

Like you, I am against extending taxpayer benefits, especially important legal benefits, to people who have willfully broken our nation’s immigration laws. I opposed the immigration bill from last summer, and I have always opposed amnesty in any shape, size or form.

The bottom line is that granting amnesty, or encouraging people to break our laws by providing other benefits will not work. We need the right immigration reform that starts by securing our borders and enforcing the laws already on the books.