Speech #1090099939

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this effort to make the most meaningful changes to our immigration enforcement in a decade. This legislation is long overdue. Illegal immigration is spinning out of control. and we must act now to enact a tough and unified policy to effectively curb the influx of illegal aliens entering our Nation. My district is in southern California. This region bears the brunt of our Nations failed immigration policies. Califomia has the highest number of illegal immigrants residing in its borders. In fact. nearly 32 percent of the total number of illegal immigrants in the United States are in California. The tide of illegal immigration increases Californians tax burden. while weakening its legal. education and welfare system. I am an original cosponsor of this bill because it lays a solid foundation to enhance our border security and enforce our current immigration laws. This is desperately needed. We must end policies that encourage illegal immigration. I am disappointed that some of the other creative solutions that Members offered to address our failed immigration policies are not included under this Rule. I firmly believe these are important ideas that should be considered by Congress as we work to enforce and bolster our Nations immigration policies. For example. Representative NATHAN DEALS amendment to deny citizenship to children born in the United States to illegal immigrants was not made in order. Providing automatic citizenship to the children of illegal aliens is an incentive for illegal immigration and we must close this loophole. Three amendments that I offered. but were not made in order under this Rule. would have discouraged illegal crossings by eliminating incentives and providing tough interior enforcement. Allowing all counties to be reimbursed for detaining and transferring illegal aliens: One amendment I submitted would allow all counties to be promptly reimbursed for the costs associated with assisting Federal immigration officials. Immigration affects all counties in the United States. not just those within 25 miles of the southern border. All counties absorb the costs of detaining. housing. and transporting illegal aliens. Prohibiting illegal aliens from obtaining mortgages: Another amendment I submitted would require lenders to verify that mortgage credit applicants are U.S. citizens or legally present in the U.S. Allowing individuals who are here illegally to participate in the homebuying process only incentivizes illegal immigration. White picket fences shouldnt go to those who break down our fences to get in. Outlawing birth tours: The last amendment I submitted would prohibit any alien from entering the United States with the intention of giving birth. It is truly disturbing that an entire industry has built up around the U.S. system of birhright citizenship. Each year. thousands of nearterm pregnant women come to the United States from countries across the world for the sole purpose of giving birth so their newboms can become U.S. citizens. We cannot continue to allow illegal immigrants to make a mockery of our nations hospitality and our laws. Conclusion: It is imperative that we close the loopholes that encourage citizens to infiltrate our porous borders. If the war on terrorism is to be ultimately successful. it is more important than ever that we take the necessary steps to tighten security at our borders and provide law enforcement agencies the tools they need to identify those individuals who enter or remain in the United States illegally.