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Immigration
Today it is estimated that over 12 million illegal immigrants are living
within the United States with an additional 300,000 crossing our borders
each year. Clearly, the current immigration system is broken.
I strongly believe that efforts to stop illegal immigration must begin
by securing borders. Now, more than five years after the terrorist attacks
of September 11th, we still lack the manpower and resources to stop the
flow of unauthorized intruders into our country. That is why I support
proposals to increase the number of border patrol agents, as well as increased
funding for the technology and equipment necessary for these agents to
prevent people from entering our country illegally.
However, border enforcement alone will not solve the problem. Each year
thousands of undocumented workers enter the United States in search of
employment opportunities. Although it is against the law to knowingly hire
undocumented workers, the incentives of cheap labor combined with the lax
enforcement of employment laws have encouraged many employers to hire illegal
immigrants. As a result, we must improve the workplace enforcement of our
employment laws.
Although a solution will inevitably require bipartisan support, I will
oppose any proposal that amounts to amnesty or rewards illegal behavior.
The United States has a rich tradition built upon the hard work of immigrant
citizens from all over the world, and we welcome legal immigration. Out
of respect for our laws and those who have followed them, I will continue
to work hard to ensure that American citizenship is reserved for those
who play by the rules. |