|
On the Issues
Immigration Reform
As the chairman of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I strongly believe that we need to revamp our immigration policies to reflect the economic and security realities we face. We need to combine tough border security and immigration enforcement policies with effective programs to match foreign workers with U.S. employers who need them. If, through such policies, we could eliminate the flow of illegal workers crossing our borders, the Department of Homeland Security would be able to focus its resources on terrorist and criminal threats at the border. Unfortunately, legislation taking just this approach, the Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act (S. 1639), fell victim to a Senate filibuster early in the 110th Congress.
For those who insist on enforcement first, much has already been accomplished in this area. The 110th Congress has made remarkable strides, going beyond the president’s funding requests and putting sensible priorities in place, both for border personnel and infrastructure and for interior enforcement.
In the end, however, our ability to cut the Gordian Knot of illegal immigration through funding bills is very limited. Sooner or later, we must enact a comprehensive, pragmatic program that attacks all aspects of the problem. We must combine worker programs, based on the legitimate needs of employers, with a path to legal residency for law-abiding immigrants, serious enforcement of employment laws, and the protection of our borders. Only in this way can we truly address the interconnected and complicated challenges of immigration in America.
Related Information
Funding for Border Security and Immigration Enforcement
Price Op-Ed in The Hill: "Enforcement Only is an Incomplete Solution"
If you need help with US Citizenship and Immigration Services, please
visit my Casework page.
|
|
U.S. House of Representatives
2162 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202.225.1784
Fax: 202.225.2014 |
411 W. Chapel Hill Street
NC Mutual Building, 9th Floor
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: 919.688.3004
Fax: 919.688.0940 |
5400 Trinity Road
Suite 205
Raleigh, NC 27607
Phone: 919.859.5999
Fax: 919.859.5998 |
88 Vilcom Center
Suite 140
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone: 919.967.7924
Fax: 919.967.8324 |
|
