We face a crisis. Over 7.000 miles of land stretch across our borders. If you look at our ports. they handle as many as 16 million cargo containers. and 330 million noncitizens--students. visitors. and workerscross our borders each year. 330 million noncitizens go back and forth across the borders. An unprecedented flow of illegal immigrants. criminals. terrorists. and unsecured cargo crosses our borders. As representatives of the people. we need to focus on the rule of law. We will be focusing on that rule of law. This Nation is founded on the concept that all men are created equal and all have the inalienable right to be free. But those freedoms are protected by our institutions and these institutions require respect for the rule of law. Those illegal immigrants who may wish us no harm have still violated our rule of law. We must remember this as this debate unfolds on border security next week. Finally. America has always opened our doors to immigrants. We must continue to do so and we will continue to do so. People come to America looking for a better life. and we live better lives because of them. They contribute to our economy. They help weave that rich cultural fabric that makes up our society. But we must ensure that Immigrants who come to America come here legally. I yield the floor.
Identified stereotypes
Associating immigrants with criminals and terrorists.