The United States should seek to attract the brightest minds and the hardest workers the world has to offer.  However, we must implement policies that encourage them to come to the United States and obtain citizenship through the proper, legal channels.

During the 111th Congress, we addressed the first essential step to stemming the flow of illegal immigrants into our country: border security.  The Emergency Border Security Supplemental Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law No. 111-230) passed the Senate with my support on August 12, 2010, and was signed into law on August 13.  This law provided funding for various initiatives to secure our nation's borders, including $253.9 million for Border Protection Officer salaries (fully funding 1,500 additional officers on the Southwest border), $14 million for border security technology, $32 million for unmanned aerial vehicles, and $196 million for Justice Department enforcement activities on the Southwest border.  A secure border coupled with strong enforcement of our laws and stricter penalties for those who break them will allow the United States to begin to truly address our immigration system.  The Emergency Border Security Supplemental Appropriations Act was a start, but more must be done to address illegal immigration. 

We must also eliminate employment opportunities for those who break our nation’s immigration laws.  To achieve this end, I support E-verify and have appropriated funding for this program.  On July 19, 2010, the Senate Appropriations Committee reported the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2011 to the full Senate for consideration.  This bill would have provided $103 million for immigration verification programs, including the E-Verify Program.  However, the Senate Majority failed to bring this or any other appropriations bill before the full Senate during the 111th Congress.  The E-Verify program is now being funded at Fiscal Year 2010 levels as part of a Continuing Resolution that will expire March 4, 2011.

As the Senate continues to address immigration reform, I will continue to support provisions that strengthen our borders, tighten our immigration laws, and punish - not reward - illegal immigration.  I will also continue to oppose any proposal that endorses, supports, or includes amnesty for illegal immigrants.