Mr. Speaker. America is a nation of immigrants. America is also a natin of laws. As the House begins consideration this week on a comprehensive immigration reform. we should be mindful of the distinction between legal and illegal immigration. With this in mind. our laws should reflect our desire to reward legal immigration and discourage illegal immigration. Current law. Mr. Speaker. sends conflicting signals. Immigrants who play by the rules. observe our laws. and go through the proper legal channels wait for years to be U.S. citizens. Conversely. if an undocumented woman crosses the border illegally. gives birth to a child on U.S. soil. that child automatically becomes a citizen. The child. and by extension its parents who are here illegally. are eligible for a menu of State and Federal benefits. When our laws punish legal behavior. but reward illegal behavior.
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undocumented immigration immigrants Immigrants illegal immigration