Speech #1090168711

Mr. Speaker. in my lifetime. no issue has so disturbed our domestic tranquility than immigration reform. Thanks to the leadership of this House. the American people are convinced we have a serious problem with illegal immigration and the American people know the Senate bill granting amnesty to 12M illegal immigrants is not the answer. There are many ideas of how we can move forward. Senator KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON of Texas and I have proposed a compromise that would: -put border security first and reject amnesty. -after 2 years of border security only. our plan would set up a new guest worker program using American employment firms outside the United States. -illegal immigrants would be required to leave the country and apply at these Ellis Island Centers by submitting to a background check and health screening before being issued a 2year guest worker visa. They also would have to pass an English course to renew it. and -tough employer sanctions would drive companies and employees into this new system. PenceHutchison puts border security first. and once that is accomplished. it creates a new guest worker program outside the United States without amnesty and without creating a new federal bureaucracy. Some in Congress think we have done enough. I believe we must do more.