Speech #1090098828

Mr. Chairman. the American people know the difference between legal immigration. which has made our country great. and illegal immigration. which threatens our homeland security. This legislation represents a crucial step forward in securing our borders and protecting the lives and property of the American people. Sponsored by Chairman SENSENBRENNER and Chairman KING. the Border Protection. Antiterterrorism. and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 achieves four essential goals. It combats illegal immigrant smuggling and makes it easier to deport illegal aliens. 20 percent of all Federal prisoners. who have committed crimes. This will make our communities much safer. This legislation makes it easier to apprehend. convict and deport potential terrorists. It allows employers to determine whether a job applicant is legally in the United States. Last year. not a single employer was fined for illegally hiring someone. If we do not diminish the magnet of jobs. no amount of border enforcement alone will prevent illegal Immigration. Lastly. Mr. Chairman. this initiative will result in more individuals being held accountable for breaking our immigration laws. Our hearts go out to those who want to come to this country. We are the freest. most prosperous nation in the world. It is no surprise that America welcomes more legal immigrants than all other countries combined. But no nation can protect its residents without knowing who is entering and why. Thousands of people continue to cross our borders illegally every day instead of playing by the rules and coming into the country the right way. No Member of Congress advocates rounding up 10 to 20 million illegal immigrants. no one really knows how many. for mass deportation. But if we enforce our laws. many either will leave voluntarily or decide not to enter illegally. Perhaps the time will come for a limited foreign worker program. but that is only after we have secured our borders and put the interests of American workers first. Immigration is an emotional. sensitive. complex subject. But Americans. citizens and legal immigrants alike. have every right to secure bor51. Pt. 21 28691 ders in a safe homeland. And it is time we turned that right into reality.