Illegal Immigration

Statement on the Situation on the Southern Border

6/11/14

 

"I do not support amnesty of any kind, and I never have. The wave of illegal immigrants currently at our southern border is overwhelming our Border Patrol and other service organizations. Even the Secretary of Homeland Security is now describing this as a “problem.” President Obama making empty promises has created a humanitarian crisis. The House will not be voting on the Senate-passed immigration bill and I will oppose any amnesty, to any person, of any age, that is not going through our legal immigration process."

"I have always stood strong against illegal immigration. I have voted against the DREAM Act and have supported reforming the 14th Amendment to end birthright citizenship. I helped bring a new Immigration and Customs Enforcement office to Colorado Springs and have always been a strong supporter of securing our border. Until our border is secure, we must not even consider extending amnesty. The President will not even enforce the laws currently on the books, so why should we pass more laws for him to ignore?"

 

 STATEMENT ON SENATE IMMIGRATION BILL 

"I have concerns with the broad Senate immigration bill, especially now that it looks like Majority Leader Harry Reid is going to cut debate short. This will prevent necessary amendments from going into the bill. I believe the Senate bill mistakenly allows those who have broken our laws to go to the front of the line. I have said all along that it makes more sense to take a targeted approach to this divisive issue and consider legislation that has broad support. For example, I think we can all agree we need to secure our borders. I also support legislation that would allow the states to help carry out federal immigration laws. It also makes sense to consider a temporary agricultural guest worker program.
 
There are so many problems with the Senate bill. It is a non-starter in the House. I don't care how many senators vote for or against it. It is too flawed. It is based to an unacceptable degree on promises. Congress is not good with following through on promises, nor is this administration. I believe my approach is in keeping with the majority of the sentiment in the House, among Republicans.
 
I will not negotiate on amnesty. I don't want people who came here illegally to be given preference over those who are following the law. People should not be rewarded or given special treatment compared with those who are waiting patiently in another country." -- Congressman Doug Lamborn

 

 

 

Securing our border is Congressman Lamborn’s top priority in addressing the growing illegal immigration concern. Operational control over the border is an absolute necessity. It is matter of national security and community safety.

Congressman Lamborn introduced H.R. 3293 to direct the Department of Homeland Security to establish an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Colorado Springs. El Paso County should not bear the responsibility of federal ICE detention centers which costs the county $1.2 million annually. The El Paso County Board of Commissioners has shown a lot of leadership on this issue as well. An ICE office in Colorado Springs is a tremendous step towards handling this issue here in our own community.  

There is however, still more work to be done at the national level. Congressman Lamborn does not support amnesty in any form and will continue to fight to ensure that illegal immigrants are not rewarded with benefits or citizenship at the expense of law-abiding American taxpayers.

During his time in Congress, Congressman Lamborn has been a strong advocate of ensuring that illegal immigrants are not rewarded with benefits of citizenship at taxpayers’ expense. Congressman Lamborn has a solid record which demonstrates his commitment to combating the threats illegal immigration poses to the United States.

Congressman Lamborn also co-signed a letter to President Bush asking him to pardon the two border patrol agents who were convicted and sent to prison in the shooting incident of a drug dealer who was crossing the border illegally.

Congressman Lamborn believes that current immigration laws must be enforced. Furthermore, a reliable system for verifying the identification of people seeking work in our country must be put into place in order to help honest employers wishing to hire only legal workers. In addition to advocating the building of the security fence along the Southern border, Congressman Lamborn also supports hiring more immigration agents, using high-tech surveillance equipment on the border, and penalizing municipalities that refuse to enforce our immigration laws.

The following is a list of some of the legislative actions Congressman Lamborn has taken with regard to immigration.

 

Major Legislative Actions 

Cosponsored Legislation

  • H.R.1753- One Strike Act
  • H.R.2083- Border Sovereignty and Protection Act
  • H.R.2287- No Social Security for Illegal Immigrants Act of 2009
  • H.R.2305- SAFE for America Act
  • H.R.3308- SAVE Act of 2009
  • H.R.4708- Reinstatement of Personal Responsibility for Immigrants Act of 2010
  • H.R.4758- Secure Visas Act

Sponsored Legislation

  • H.R. 3293 – To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in El Paso County, Colorado