“It is time to do what is necessary to secure the border”
WASHINGTON DC - U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords took to the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday and urged her congressional colleagues to begin a “civil and conclusive debate” on stemming the flow of illegal immigrants into Arizona.
“We need to work in a bipartisan fashion to end illegal immigration,” the Tucson lawmaker said. “And we have to focus our attention on those who wish to do America harm, whether they are drug smugglers, human smugglers or terrorists.”
Giffords again called for a bipartisan approach to secure the border, as she did in two previous floor speeches on the need for comprehensive immigration reform.
“President Bush made it very clear (on Jan. 23) in the State of the Union address that we need to have a serious civil and conclusive debate on illegal immigration,” the congresswoman said. “I agree, and I look forward to doing just that, working with the administration and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do just that.”
Giffords' two previous floor speeches on immigration were delivered on Friday, Jan. 12 and Thursday, Jan. 18. A Congressional Record transcript of each speech is below.
Giffords, who represents Southeastern Arizona's 8th Congressional District, believes a comprehensive immigration reform package must include modern technology and more Border Patrol agents to secure the border; tough employer sanctions for those who knowingly hire illegal immigrants; and a guest worker program allowing people to enter the United State to work legally safely and return to their home country.
Giffords' 9,057-square mile district shares a 114-mile border with Mexico.
Speech of Jan. 31, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to make clear once again the immediate need for a comprehensive immigration reform package.
The L.A. Times yesterday reported that seven of the largest tunnels discovered under the U.S.-Mexico border in recent years have still yet to be filled in. This troubles me for many reasons, not the least of which because smugglers have tried to use these passages before.
We need to work in a bipartisan fashion to end illegal immigration. And we have to focus our attention on those who wish to do America harm, whether they are drug smugglers, human smugglers or terrorists.
President Bush made it very clear last week in the State of the Union address that we need to have a serious civil and conclusive debate on illegal immigration. I agree, and I look forward to doing just that, working with the administration and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do just that.
My district in southern Arizona continues to bear the brunt of the crisis, whether it is in our schools, our law enforcement, our first responders or in our hospitals. It is time to do what is necessary to secure the border now.
Speech of Jan. 18, 2007
Madam Speaker, with the completion of the first 100 hours, I stand here today to discuss an issue of critical importance to southern Arizona, and that is our illegal immigration crisis.
Let me point out two recent events. On January 12, a Border Patrol agent had a deadly altercation with an illegal immigrant crossing into our district. That investigation is going on at this moment. A couple of weeks ago, members of the National Guard unit assigned to work with the Border Patrol were threatened by an armed gang that came into our country and then left. That incident is being looked at.
While many questions still surround these recent incidents, one thing is crystal clear: Now that our 100 hours are over, we must address the illegal immigration crisis and secure the border today.
We are putting our Border Patrol and the National Guard under tremendous strain. It is our responsibility to provide them with the necessary resources and the tools they need.
Fighting for a comprehensive immigration plan must be a priority for this Congress, Democrats and Republicans working together.
Speech of Jan. 12, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak for the very first time in this distinguished Chamber representing the Eighth District of Arizona.
Mr. Speaker, we have made some major accomplishments this week, but one area that particularly pertains to my district and to the State of Arizona has not been addressed, and that is the crisis in illegal immigration.
For too long, Congress and Washington have failed to act. We must secure the border now. My district and the State of Arizona have paid a heavy price for this burden. We know it in our schools, our hospitals and our law enforcement agencies.
We must move this year with a sense of urgency to pass a comprehensive immigration reform package that is tough, effective, and practical. We need to increase border security using modern-era technology, radar, drones, electronic surveillance. There must be more Border Patrol agents and more support for those Border Patrol agents.
We also need tough employer sanctions for those employers who are knowingly hiring people illegally, and a guest worker program, so that people can come in and work legally, safely, and return back to their home countries.
Working to pass such measures will be my priority in this 110th Congress, and I look forward to working with Members on both sides of the aisle on this important issue.