Posted on 05/22/2007 3:09:46 PM PDT by anymouse
As your U.S. senators, we have been heavily involved in the congressional debate on immigration reform for several years. We have taken a leadership role on this issue because we represent a state that uniquely benefits from the contributions of legal immigrants, but is also uniquely vulnerable to the dangers of illegal immigration. Throughout this process, our principles have been clear and consistent: We must secure our borders, and we cannot encourage illegal behavior through amnesty.
Last week, the Bush administration, along with a small group of senators, announced a compromise immigration bill that would take a necessary first step in improving border security. We did not join in the announcement. While our efforts had a positive influence, we were not convinced the announced proposal guarantees repair of our current broken system. We are particularly concerned that we may be repeating the mistakes of the failed 1986 national amnesty.
As of late Friday, the actual text of the "grand compromise" had not yet been published. Major questions remain about details of the plan, and how it would work. We believe the bill, which was negotiated privately, deserves a full public airing before it's considered.
The bill promises some long-term positive changes, including significant border security measures, an end to chain migration and a switch to green card distribution based on merit.
But many problems have not been satisfactorily addressed. For example, we must make certain that convicted criminals are not eligible for any legalization, and if these individuals attempt to stay here, that they are arrested and promptly deported.
We must ensure that only those who have played by the rules and not those engaged in identity theft receive Social Security benefits. This proposal would enable illegal immigrants to collect Social Security benefits for the time they were unlawfully in our country. At a time when we are already facing major shortfalls in our ability to pay benefits for future retirees, this represents an unfair burden on the American taxpayer. We must end the rampant document fraud that plagues our workplaces today, and do it in a way that is legally enforceable.
Some of our colleagues, sensing the fragile nature of the proposed compromise, want to rush it through the Congress immediately. This would be a major mistake. It is too important and too complicated to rush. The legislation requires extended Senate debate, with full opportunity for public input and criticism, and an open process for amendments to strengthen its provisions.
In 1986, the Congress approved a similar compromise plan that, in return for amnesty for most immigrants here illegally, promised an end to porous borders and disregard for our laws. Those promises were not honored. The amnesty legislation instead actually encouraged further disrespect for our laws, and led directly to the situation we face today.
As the bill reaches the Senate floor this week, our goal will be restoring the integrity of our borders, providing guest workers with opportunity, not amnesty, and preserving our Social Security for all who legally qualify. Our contributions to the debate will continue to be positive and constructive.
Our country needs immigration reform. We must ensure that it's done, and done correctly.
Hutchison and Cornyn are both Republicans and represent Texas in the U.S. Senate.
It’s real simple. We don’t need reform. We need enforcement.
In the mean time, why not enforce the laws that are already on the books?
Why not just build a 50 foot fence and fire Border Patrol agents who don’t enforce the law.
We have to stop the flow before we can pass any naturalization laws.
John
I am a Texan and have a fairly positive view of Cornyn. Kay strikes me as more wishy-washy, but she is ending up on the right side of this one.
However, I completely disagree with this little ditty:
“Our country needs immigration reform. We must ensure that it’s done, and done correctly.”
Wrong, senators! What our country needs are for the laws on the books to be enforced. Build the fence, protect the borders, prosecute employers of illegals, and either incarcerate or deport every single illegal alien that is caught.
A thousand pages of new 'legislative' blah, blah, blah says otherwise, apparently.
But you're right, it's simple really. Enforce the borders, fine the hell out of employers who employ illegals, and deport those caught. The problem will (over time) correct itself.
We owe those here illegally...nothing.
We’ve let in 20 million illegals. That’s nearly the population of Texas. People need to put it in that perspective. It’s 3 times the population of New York City. It’s a huge problem.
We need to build a wall and to drop of the anchor baby provision. I’m also concern about the next 20 million.
Add to that "fire ...who don't enforce the law..." any state or city police officer who doesn't check immigration status and arrest anyone found who is illegal. End any federal aid to any city that refuses to so enforce the law.
ping
I don’t even like the title of this story.
We need ILLEGAL immigration reform.
The USA lets enough people in every year we don’t need 12 million illegals at once.Why all the wishy-washyness.
Just enforce the laws and by attrition the number of illegals will eventually dwindle somewhat.
ENFORCE...THE...LAW
AMEN!
Why is that so darned hard for some to grasp?
They are feeling the heat, folks.
Reform?. We don’t need no stinkin reform.
This Amnesty Bill D-E-B-A-T-E (?) is all a farce. It’s a DONE-DEAL between the Dem’s, Republicans and Bush. They are just allowing the senators to ‘posture’ for their constituates, before the big vote. That way, they can go back to their states and shed tears to the people and say how hard they tried to make it a better bill. It’s all “politics as usual” and “screw the American people”.
“Reform?. We don’t need no stinkin reform.”
Our system is broken. We have tens of millions of illegals in the country, wide-open borders, and a President who refuses to enforce existing laws. And amazingly thats worlds better than what is being proposed.
Good thing I’m not in charge of immigration. I’d put a bounty on them, have our good citizens round them all up and deport the whole lot. I’d also fine them to pay for the bounty. They can stay in the internment camp until they pay their fines. The internment camps would be isolated and desolate.
Siberia or China would be good, and cheaper.
“It’s real simple. We don’t need reform. We need enforcement.
AMEN!”
And AMEN again! Cornyn and Hutchison are closer to sanity on this issue than most senators but they need to stop “playing politics” and hit non-amnesty full force. It’s just that simple.
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