This debate isnt just about drugs. and it isnt just about violence. as horrible as those are. This debate is alsoand I would say first and foremostabout our Nations security. In a post9/11 world. border security is national security. I say that again: In a post9/l1 world. border security is national security. Make no mistake about it. Today we do confront a crisis that threatens our security. We all know that our immigration system is broken and has been for many years. And it is not getting any better on its own. So I applaud the majority leader and those who have worked so hard on both sides of the aisle to try to bring this debate to the Senate floor. This is the greatest deliberative body on the face of the planet. and I would hope that we could have a debate about this urgent need to fix our broken immigration system and to restore security to our border and do it in a way that is dignified and civil and worthy of this great institution and of this great democracy. Senator JON KYL of Arizona and I have teamed up to work on this issue from top to bottom. We have worked closely together over several years to address this challenge in a comprehensive way. We have held numerous hearings. and we have heard testimony from a diverse array of experts across the political spectrum. We have also inspected our Nations failed immigration system and its relationship with the terrible events of September 11. And we have examined why it is important for Americas neighbors to raise living standards for their own citizens to help relieve some of the pressure on our border. Senator KYL and I have sought to lay a foundation for a comprehensive solution to fix our broken borders. a comprehensive solution that would avert another crisis 5. 10. or 20 years down the road.
Keywords matched
border security immigration