Speech #1090119584

I appreciate the effort we have made together. As we know. the Senate is beginning debate on a very important and complex subject that is among the most difficult and divisive we face. Our Nations immigration system is broken. Without comprehensive immigration reform. our Nations security will remain vulnerable. That is why we must act. I begin by commending Chairman SPECTER and the members of the Judiciary Committee for the considerable effort they have taken to report a comprehensive immigration reform measure that could be considered during this debate. While I am not in agreement with each and every provision. it is a great starting point for the debate. Those of us from border States witness every day the impact illegal immigration is having on our friends and neighbors. our county and city services. our economy. and our environment. We deal with the degradation of our lands and the demands imposed on our hospitals and other public resources. Our current system doesnt protect us from people who want to harm us. It doesnt meet the needs of our economy. It leaves too many people vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Throughout this debate. we will be reminded that immigration is a national security issue. and it is. It is also a matter of life and death for many living along the border. We have hundreds of people flowing across our borders every day. an estimated 11 million to 12 million people living in the shadows in every State in our country.