Madam Speaker. I rise today to express a measured degree of optimism that Congress will pass a comprehensive immigration reform package this year. A Senate bill is likely to be unveiled as early as next week. and I would hope that the House will follow soon after with our version. To be effective. this legislation must include provisions for increased border security. more support for border patrol agents. sanctions for employers that knowingly hire illegal immigrants. compensation for border communities. and a guest worker program. In my district in Southern Arizona. the need for reform is critical. In 2006. 4.000 illegal immigrants a day crossed the border into Arizona. Our schools. hospitals. and law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed. Our environment and homeland security are threatened. We must work across party lines to pass comprehensive immigration reform so we can focus our attention on those crossing the border who wish to do America harm: drug smugglers. human smugglers. and terrorists. I also want to thank the outgoing chief of the Tucson sector border patrol. Michael Nicley. for his service and hard work. All of us in Southern Arizona appreciate his dedication.
Keywords matched
illegal immigrants border patrol border security immigration