Speech #1090122407

Mr. President. over the past few weeks. the Senate has engaged in an important debate that is long overdue. Our current immigration system is broken and has been broken for many years. Although this problem is complex. the need for reform is clear. and 1 am pleased that the Senate is moving forward on the issue. We need to make comprehensive. responsible. and commonsense reforms that will stem the tide of illegal immigrants. will be fair to those who are here legally. and will deal realistically with the millions of illegal immigrants already here. I believe U.S. immigration policy should establish clear procedures for determining who can enter this country legally. And it must provide the tools for apprehending those who enter the United States illegally and to punish those who hire them at the same time. We must honor our traditions as both a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants. enriched by the diversity of newcomers. The Senate Judiciary Committee worked hard to create a bipartisan package that would accomplish many of those goals. The bill before us today would strengthen security at our borders through advanced technology. increased border patrol. and heavier fines. It would create a sustainable temporary worker program to help fill the lowest wage jobs. which pay little and are short of American takers. And it would provide a path to citizenship that does not bump anybody who is here legally but would allow lawabiding. hardworking undocumented immigrants to go to the end of the line. I am pleased by the inclusion of the AgJOBS bill in the Specter substitute amendment. The agriculture industry is the second largest industry in Michigan. behind manufacturing. and it depends upon the work of immigrants.