Speech #1090099908

Mr. Speaker. today I rise in strong opposition to this rule. The Sensenbrenner bill is an unacceptable. inefficient and punitive proposal to reform our immigration system. Rather than focusing our resources on apprehending terrorists. fraudulent document manufacturers and other serious criminals. this proposal hurts hardworking families who want nothing more than to contribute to the economy and to achieve the American dream. These workers help to make our economy the strongest in the world. Criminalizing and deporting 11 million undocumented immigrants already in the United States is unrealistic and would be very costly to the American Treasury. as much as $230 billion. This legislation places unfunded mandates on our local governments and especially on our first responders who already face serious budget deficits. While I agree that we must secure our borders. enforcementonly legislation is the wrong approach. Our immigration system is broken and severely outdated and should be comprehensively reformed. That is why I am disappointed that this rule does not allow for amendments which would provide real. effective reform. including a path to legal permanency for the undocumented that are already here. a reduction in the immigration backlog so that thousands of separated families can be reunited. and new channels for future workers to enter safely and legally. This border security PLUS approach is a comprehensive solution to a complex problem. For generations. immigrant families have journeyed to the United States in search of the American dream. Like the immigrants of the past. todays immigrants contribute significantly to our country and yearn for that American dream. As a daughter of proud immigrants. I value Americas history of treasuring the contributions that immigrants have made to this country. My parents came from abroad. My father came from Mexico and came here to this country under the Bracero program to work to make this country great.