Speech #1030056027

I rise in strong support of the amendment of my colleagues from California. The California delegation has been working in a bipartisan fashion to retain and build highskill. highwage jobs that are the key to our economic revitalization. We are demonstrating today. that in bipartisan fashion. we are determined to deal with a critical deterrent to economic revitalization. illegal immigration. Mr. Chairman. we are a nation of immigrants. and I am the daughter of immigrants. who came to America seeking peace and prosperity. and found both. Our strength as a country derives in part from our diversity. However. we must draw the distinction between legal immigration. which is constantly revitalizing our society and our economy. and illegal immigration. which is sapping the economic strength of our Nation in general and California in particular. Difficult economic times here make it impossible to share limited jobs and resources with those who fail to comply with our immigration laws. Unfortunately. border patrol funding cuts reduced the number of agents that patroled our borders last year. and this trend is continuing. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 authorized a substantial increase in border control agents. but this increase has never been funded. Our forces along our southern border are spread dangerously thin. This excellent bipartisan amendment would add 600 agents to our southern bordera good start. Illegal immigration hurts legal immigration. overburdens stretched community and State services and. in many instances. exposes illegal immigrants to intimidation and exploitation. It is a loselose proposition. This amendment will play a real part in reducing the hurt.