Speech #1050092539

I rise today in strong support of this important motion. In my view. our Nation can only be secure when its borders are secure. In recent years. and Nations illegal alien population has reached intolerable levelslevels that threaten American jobs and place tremendous burdens on government services. America can no longer withstand the flood of illegal immigration. Last year. Congress passed landmark legislation that. once and for all. cracked down on illegal immigration to our great Nation. Unfortunately. Mr. Speaker. there is a provision of 23712 cc law known as 245(i). which I believe undermines the intent of the Illegal Immigration Reform Act. sends the wrong message to the world. and seriously threatens our national security. It does so by allowing illegal aliens to pay the INS $1.000 to change their status from illegal to legal without appropriate back ground checks. Who benefits most from 245(i)? People who illegally cross our borders or overstay their visas. In other words. it benefits illegal aliens. Consequently. 245(i) sends a dangerous message to the world. The message. "Dont wait to legally enter the United States.