Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of securing our borders and getting legislation to the Presidents desk that will stop the flow of illegal immigrants into our country. This week. the Senate is debating immigration reform. and it is crucial that they pass legislation that puts enforcement first and says "no" to blanket amnesty. As a physician. I know you have to stop a patients bleeding before you can heal the wound. Likewise. we must stop the bleeding of our borders before we can address other areas of reform. Our southern border is not just bleeding. it is hemorrhaging. Thousands of illegal immigrants cross it each month. and our incomplete border fence does little to tame the flow. Our border enforcement is woefully understaffed. and local law enforcement officials lack the jurisdiction to apprehend illegal immigrants within their own communities. Mr. Speaker. the House passed legislation in December to address each of these concerns. Reforming our immigration system requires a commitment to security and lawfulness. and our Senate colleagues must pledge their resolve to these core principles as they move forward in this debate.
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