Immigration

Our broken immigration system must be addressed and reform is needed to ensure that U.S. citizens can continue to enjoy a safe and law abiding society.  However, I do not support amnesty and do not believe it has a place in the overall discussion. 

In order to further address our immigration laws, I introduced the Alien Smuggling and Terrorism Prevention Act in both the 110th and 111th Congresses.  Both times, the bill passed the House with no opposition.  This bill provides federal prosecutors and agents with the necessary tools to detain and sentence individuals who illegally smuggle people into our nation. It would also increase penalties on alien smugglers from a misdemeanor to a felony. Law enforcement agencies across the nation have expressed great concern that existing penalties for alien smuggling are insufficient to appropriately punish smugglers.

Another aspect of our immigration system that needs reform is penalties on employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens. These employers must be held accountable for their own illegal activity. If employers stop creating a financial safe haven for illegal immigrants and their families back home, then people will lose the incentive to live here. As long as jobs are available for illegal immigrants, people will continue to cross the borders into our country without hesitation.

As much as illegal immigration hurts our country, legal immigration has served America well. America was built by hardworking people from all over the world. Many of them played by the rules and prospered while helping to build a stronger America; and our national immigration policies must reflect this reality.