I want to thank Chairman CONYERS and Chairman THOMPSON and Chairman OBERSTAR for working with me to draft this legislation. The staff has been extremely helpful. and Im very pleased with the outcome of this bill. The Alien Smuggling and Terrorism Prevention Act would provide all levels of law enforcement with the tools they need to detain those who knowingly bring illegal aliens into our country. Additionally. it would provide prosecutors and judges with clear proof and sentencing guidelines. The bill also significantly enhances penalties for illegal alien smuggling. The crime is raised from a misdemeanor to a felony under this bill. It is estimated that there are currently more than 20 million illegal immigrants in this country. The cost of illegal immigration to our health care system. public education system. prison system and social services continues to rise without any sign of stopping or slowing. We must reform our immigration system to make It more efficient and effective. This bill is the first step towards doing so. Li 1545 It concentrates on easing the job of law enforcement. and it is my hope that this bill will act as a deterrent for illegalalien smugglers. In addition to this bill. Congress must enact tough. comprehensive immigration reform that does not award illegal aliens with amnesty. We need to make sure that employers who hire illegal aliens are punished. and we need to strengthen our border security. At the same time. however. we must remember that legal immigration has served America well. America was built by hardworking people from all over the world. Many of them played by the rules and prospered while helping to build a stronger America. and our national immigration policies must reflect this reality. As long as immigrants enter our country legally. abide by our laws. and work hard to strengthen our communities. I believe they have a right to live in this Nation. But the personal safety and wellbeing of all citizens. as well as the security of U.S. jobs. are my chief concern.
Keywords matched
illegal immigration immigrants illegal aliens illegal immigrants illegal alien border security immigration