Speech #1030067861

It is so interesting because I happen to be an advocate of toughening up our border patrol. and I supported the amendment that we had 2 weeks ago to provide an additional $60 million in the Commerce. State. Justice appropriation bill. as I am sure my colleague did. to toughen up the border patrol because we cannot allow this flow of illegal immigrants to come across the border. In fact. during the month of August I am going to be touring the border and looking at the situation. But I have argued consistently that there is no way we are going to be able to block people as long as they continue to want to come across the border. Why is it people flee Mexico and other parts of Latin America for the United States? One simple. very simple. basic reason: economic opportunity. whether it is a job or whether it is the Government services that are created by the unfunded Federal mandates which the Federal Government imposes on the State of California. the county of Los Angeles and other States. forcing them to provide a wide range of services which really should not be provided unless that State chooses to provide those services. I happen to believe that if we could eliminate that magnet which draws people across the border for Government services. and create the opportunity for those who come across the border to the United States and gain a Job and save the money that they have from that job and send it back to their families in Mexico or they have an opportunity in Mexico to get a job. which implementation of NAFTA will clearly aid and create. we would be better off if we got at the root of the immigration problem which is so serious.