Speech #1090100521

This is an example of a commonsense measure that protects all Americans from the risk of terrorists smuggling nuclear weapons across our border. While this provision is included in H.R. 4437. the bill before us today also includes several egregious provisions that do very little to keep us safe from terrorists. Should this bill become law. millions of undocumented immigrants. including young children. already in our country will automatically become felons. subject to imprisonment. Aside from the cost of tracking down these newly charged felons. who will be entitled to a government funded public defender. and jailing them. we must also consider the economic and social costs to our country. Many undocumented immigrants play an important role in certain industries that depend on temporary or seasonal work. Their vital role in the economy explains why this bill is opposed by every major business group. For this reason. Democrats and the President support a temporary guestworker proposal. but this bill contains no such acknowledgement of our countrys economic needs. Instead. under H.R. 4437. these immigrants would never be eligible for any guestworker program like the one requested by the President. People who have been living. working. paying taxes. and raising families in our country for 20 years. will now be pushed into a new underclass. Many of these families have children who are U.S. Citizens. Not only will this bill tear families apart. but by defining illegal immigrants as felons. this legislation could also create a backlash against anyone who appears to be of foreign origin. most of whom are here legally. In addition. the bill criminalizes assistance to undocumented immigrants. even if provided by church or nonprofit volunteers. Now. it a person shows up at a churchs doorstep hungry. the church will provide that person something to eat. However. under the terms of this bill. it that person happens to be an undocumented immigrant. the person who provided the food will be subject to up to 5 years in prison. and the church would have its property seized and sold to the highest bidder. These kinds of punitive responses do not represent the values of the American people. We need comprehensive immigration reform in the mold of H.R. 2330. the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act. which I am proud to support. This bill would secure our borders. require immigration status verification by employers. and create a path to citizenship for currently undocumented workers. while not penalizing those who are patiently waiting for legal entry to our country. This type of reform addresses the fact that it is unrealistic to track down and deport every undocumented immigrant. but it others from entering our country illegally in the future. Unfortunately. the House leadership did not permit so much as a vote on this measure. as they knew it would likely pass. and their conservative base would be upset by real reform. This bill before us today is a farce.