Florida. Illinois. and New Jersey. So. essentially. six States are home to 77 Percent of all of the immigrants in our country. It is also estimated that almost 9 million. 8.9 million. people have come to this country legally over the past 10 years. But another 3 million have entered our country illegally. According to unofficial Census Bureau figures. California is home to 52 percent of all of the undocumented immigrants of this Nation. That is 2.083.000 illegal immigrants in my State alone. This steady stream of illegal immigrants across our borders. particularly in the Southwest region. has resulted in many immigrants. including those here quite legally. feeling decidedly unwelcome. To encourage a rational discussion of what is an emotionally charged issue. I advanced seven moderate steps this summer to enforce our borders. to begin to streamline the asylum process. and to deport illegal immigrants convicted of aggravated felonies to serve their prison time in their country of origin rather than in our jails. I have discussed these proposals with the President. the Attorney General. INS Commissionerdesignee Doris Meissner. my colleagues on the Senate Judiciary and Appropriations Committee.
Keywords matched
undocumented illegal immigrants asylum process immigrants