Speech #1090120271

These men and women who. through hard work and sacrifice. are seeking the American dream need to be brought out of the darkness and into the light of Americas promise. It is in the national security interest of the United States to know who is here to seek the American dream versus who is here to destroy it. That is why I support the comprehensive immigration reform proposal that was reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee in a bipartisan manner. It is perfect? No. But it is tough. smart. and balanced. unlike either the Sensenbrenner bill or the bill offered by the majority leader. The Judiciaryreported bill will enforce our laws. protect our national and homeland security. while also reflecting current economic realities and respecting the core values of family unity and fundamental fairness. It secures our borders through the increased use of aerial vehicles and sensors. while increasing the number of Border Patrol agents and immigration enforcement investigators. The Judiciary Committee bill has very strong border security and enforcement provisions that go even beyond the bill offered by the majority leader. For example. it makes tunneling under our borders a Federal crime. adds new criminal penalties for evading immigration officers. makes manslaughter an aggravated felony. and adds 12.000 new Border Patrol agents over the next 5 years. This bill provides a way for future workers to safely migrate to the United States in a legal process. works with labor and worker protections. and addresses the family backlog so that families can be reunited. The Judiciary Committee legislation would also allow the possibility for temporary guest worker permits. Those who try to portray the bill as amnesty are. I believe. moving us in a direction to seek to. in essence. express the sense of fear. In fact. the Judiciary Committee legislation would punish those who are here in an undocumented status by requiring them to meet all of the following requirements before they can even join the path toward earned legalization. They would have to pay a couple thousand dollars in fines and fees. They would have to pass a criminal background check. They would have to go to the back of the line behind all applicants waiting for green cards. They would have to pay any and all back taxes. They would have to remain continuously employed going forward. They would have to pass a medical exam. and. yes. they would have to learn English and learn U.S. history and government. So as Senator GRAHAM stated. this is an 11year pathan 11year pathto earned citizenship. not amnesty. There is a broad and diverse coalition supporting the comprehensive immigration reform in the Judiciary bill. This unusual coalition includes individuals and organizations from our business. civic. civil rights. faith. immigrant. and labor communities. So in closing. let me commend Senators SPECTER. LEAHY. KENNEDY. GRAHAM. and all the Senators on the Judiciary Committee for the work they did in producing a bill that moves us much closer to once again controlling our borders. while upholding our tradition as a nation of immigrants and laws. However we got here. from wherever we came. we know that we are now in the same boat together as Americans. And together. hopefully. this Senate will act to make this journey a safe. orderly. and legal process that preserves and fulfills that American dream for all.