Posted on 06/05/2007 12:17:09 PM PDT by Between the Lines
Dear Nebraskans,
The latest proposal to deal with illegal immigration puts the cart before the horse. Our borders must be secured before we deal with those who are here illegally. Unfortunately, the emphasis in the amnesty-based bill that was introduced is on those who are already here. This is the wrong approach and I cannot support it the way it stands.
I voted to allow debate to proceed on this bill, but I do not support the underlying bill. Instead, I hope we
can improve it and put the focus where it needs to be -– on securing our border first.
And judging by the hundreds of letters and phone calls I get, I believe I represent the vast majority of my fellow Nebraskans who oppose amnesty and want to secure our borders.
Do-Everything Approach is Wrong
This legislation is yet another attempt to do everything, that in the end will likely make the immigration problems we have now worse. I still do not understand why some are pushing for amnesty when our borders are not yet secured.
When the Senate debated amnesty last year, illegal border crossings in some areas went up by more than 26 percent. That's because people wanted to get here before the bill was finalized in hopes of benefiting from amnesty.
We can't solve a problem by making it worse.
A 3-Step Process
We need to pursue a three-step approach. The first step is securing our border. At the same time we need to do more to enforce workplace restrictions on employing illegal immigrants. The goal here is to make illegal immigration a less attractive option.
The second step is to reform the legal immigration process, make that a more attractive option so that we are opening the front door to legal immigration while closing the back door to illegal immigration. And we can do this second step while securing the border.
The third and final step is to deal with the individuals who are here illegally. But we can't deal with them now or else we'll simply be encouraging more illegal immigration.
I will support amendments that put border security first, but I will not support any amnesty-based reform.
Border Security Report Card
After visiting the border in Arizona last February with Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, I can report to you that we are really making some good progress in securing our border. There are increased patrols, physical barriers and, of course, the virtual fencing that takes advantage of technology such as radar sensors and aerial patrols in the more remote areas but more remains to be done. Until the border is secure, we simply cannot encourage more illegal immigration by talking about amnesty.
Sincerely, Sen. Ben Nelson
Didn’t even notice the mistake; serves me right for mailing on a blackberry!
emailing
Not completely. Steps 2 & 3 are bassackwards.
1) Seal the border.
2) Enforce existing laws and go after employers.
3) Begin deporting illegals.
4) Reform existing immigration laws.
I place #2 before #3 because by going after employers, many illegals will begin deportation on their own. If the jobs dry up, so will the illegals.
Right now I will take RATS like Byrd and Nelson over scum like McCain, Graham and Kyl. Maybe we can trade.
ROFLMAO!!!
Byrd?...really...I’m dumbfounded...I’m not doubing you, but can you give me a link that supports the statement that Byrd is against the bill?
IIRC he voted against it last year and voiced his opinion on the floor against it this year. I guess he has his own reasons that may not be the same as mine.
I’ve been away and I am a little confused. Is there more than one bill? Has a bill already passed the Senate? Someone please enlighten me.
WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! TILL YOU RUN OUT OF INK IN YOUR PEN!
Bombard the Democrats as well, especially the ones that ran on an anti illegal immigration plank and the ones in marginal districts who could be vulnerable. keep pounding on them. This is a bipartisan issue not a Conservative or Liberal issue BUT AN AMERICAN issue.
I just fired off another email to Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. I hope she gets the message soon. I sent several more FR thread links.
“We can’t solve a problem by making it worse.”
Big Ben!
Ole Byrd knows that he will be drawn and quartered in WV if he votes for this monstrosity. He knows how we feel. I keep sending him letters and calling all the time. Rocky also tells me he is against the bill. I have no proof of that yet.
Ole Byrd is undoubtedly in his last term, however. I wouldn’t be surprised if he votes against the bill, since he’s occasionally reasonable on social issues. As for Mr. Rockefeller, I wouldn’t trust anything he says. He’s a standard-brand liberal, and a standard-brand liberal from West Virginia has probably done a fair amount of lying in his career.
Yes, I’ll give Nelson credit for this. His opposition may prove to be important, too. It’s good news for sure.
More good news. Thanks for sharing it.
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