You have lost your background. and I mean that in a complimentary way. I do not mean that to be a wise guy. What you did just several years ago with the Irish immigrants who came here. when our British friends wanted to pluck them up and throw them out of the country. it was courageous. You cannot deny this in a bill. You cannot deny your heritage. I call on you to look at your heritage. We are making all immigrants here suspects. I believe. and I think all of us do. that it is a moral imperative for Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform. Both sides of the aisle agree on that. We need a full and robust approach. one that includes not only strong and effective enforcement provisions but strategies to create new legal channels for future flows of immigrants because they are coming. Family immigration backlogs. Families. we want to unite families in a December 15. 2005 CONGRI legal fashion. This bill does not do that. Mr. Chairman. Indeed. it fails to address many of the most important elements of immigration reform while imposing harsh. considered punitive. measures. That is why I believe it is a moral imperative to vote this bill down today. I do not think it is wise. and I do not think it is a real plan. Instead of proceeding in a judicious manner that could affectively stem the flow of illegal immigration. we are debating ineffectual enforcement measures that do not Increase the safety and security of the American people.
Identified stereotypes
Making all immigrants suspects.