Speech #1040203589

I look forward to debating the minimum wage with the Senator from Massachusetts. because I have great concerns about the impact that this could have on our small business people of this country. But this is not the time to bring up the minimum wage issue. We have been trying for years to make a better law on illegal immigration. This is of great concern to my State and all of the States that are absorbing so many illegal immigrants In our country. because our laws do not do enough to stop illegal immigration. The States that have the illegal immigrant problems are absorbing so much of the costs of these illegal immigrants that it is time for the Federal Government to step up to the line and take its responsibility for closing our borders to illegal immigrants. That is separate from the legal immigrants who have done so much to build our country. and I am very pleased we separated those two in the bill before us today. so that today we are talking- about the problem of Illegal immigration. The way we treat illegal immigrants reminds me of the distracted mother who says. "I said maybe. and thats final." because when someone does violate our illegal immigration laws. in fact. there Is hardly any penalty. They can be deported on Monday. and on Tuesday apply for legal status. That is hardly a clear message from America about our illegal immigrant laws and status. So. what we are trying to do with our amendment Is to say very clearly. if you violate the laws of America. if you come into our country without taking the proper legal steps. or if you are in our country legally and overstay a visa by as much as a year. you will be barred from legal entry into our country for 10 years. We have had laws that have penalized employers on the books for several years now. If we are going to say to employers we will penalize you if you hire an illegal immigrant. I think we should also try something else. We should make It a penalty for the person who is violating the law and coming into our country as well.