In addition. by focusing on prospective requirements. this amendment streamlines the process and helps avoid the bureaucratic morass that has been created other times when Congress has acted. If we dont get this right. we will end up repeating mistakes of the past. We will simply create new incentives for illegal immigration. and we will enhance the problems our country now faces in tracking who is coming and going across our borders. Remember. it is estimated that about onethird of those who receive visas do not leave the United States when their visas expire. So the problem is not only people coming across the border. the problem is also people misusing their visas. In 2004. there were just over 30 million visas issued. That is an unbelievable amount. but it is true. That means there could be up to 10 million people who overstayed their visas and remained in the United States. Now. of course. most of them probably didnt stay here permanently. But it is clear from these statistics that our visa program has a serious problem when it comes to enforceability. I strongly believe we must find an orderly way to allow those already here. many of whom have families. strong community ties. and some who have U.S. citizen children. to earn legalization over a substantial period of time. And virtually every poll I have seen has shown that over 70 percent of the American people agree.
Keywords matched
visa illegal immigration visas