PLYMOUTH — Tuesday, Congressman Joe Donnelly discussed his support for the bipartisan SAVE (Secure America with Verification and Enforcement) Act, which would crack down on illegal immigration.

Introduced by Congressman Heath Shuler (D-NC), the SAVE Act offers a three-part plan to drastically reduce illegal immigration by securing our borders, requiring employer verification of perspective employees’ legal status, and bolstering resources needed for enforcement of our immigration laws. Donnelly is a co-sponsor of this legislation.

“Our immigration system is broken.  Under the current administration, our immigration policy has failed to prevent the influx of illegal immigrants and to sufficiently enforce the law,” said Donnelly. “I am committed to supporting a solution to the immigration problem. I believe the SAVE Act is an important first step.”

Specifically, the SAVE Act calls for the hiring of an additional 8,000 new Border Patrol Agent to make sure our borders are secure. In addition, the legislation also provides the tools and resources necessary to recruit and retain these agents, as well as the technology and equipment they need to protect our border effectively.

“Secure borders are fundamental to our national security and a critical component of a sound immigration policy. The SAVE Act would ensure that we are not understaffing our borders, and that Border Patrol Agents are equipped with the proper training and technology to do their jobs effectively,” said Donnelly.

Donnelly said he feels illegal immigrants should have to apply for citizenship using the system that is already in place.

“There are somewhere between 12 and 20 million illegal immigrants in this country,” he said —  arriving at that figure by the number of services requested and by the growth in the population. According to Donnelly, that number has increased by 5 million over seven years.

Donnelly said, “There are people who are trying to get into this country legally. They should not be in line behind someone who is here illegally. If you want to come to this country, everyone should play by the same rules.”