Speech #1100052896

If we debate reform in this bill in the coming days and weeks. we must also address other important issues. As I stated during last years debate. my home State of Arkansas had the largest pei capita increase of the Hispanic population of any State in the Nation during the last census. Arkansas has become what is referred to as an emerging Hispanic community. with largely firstgeneration immigrants. These immigrants have had a dramatic impact on our communities and our economy. The majority of immigrants in my State came to the United States because they wanted an opportunity to work hard and achieve a better life for themselves and for their families. However. I believe it is to the detriment. oftentimes. of taxpaying Americans if we dont address the millions of illegal immigrants living in our communities. We have to do so in a practical way. in a realistic way of how we effectively use the tax dollars we have. along with the rules and regulations and realistic barriers that we can put into place to rein in the problem that exists today in this country. No reform proposal should grant amnesty. Amnesty is total unqualified forgiveness without restitution. and no0 policy should provide amnesty. This policy does not. nor did the one we passed in the last session of Congress. I dont think it is fair to the citizens of this Nation or to those immigrants who do play by the rules to come into this great land. Those who have broken the law. including employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. must face proper recourse. However. I also dont believe it is practical. wise. or even. quite frankly. an economic reality to think that we can simply round up and deport all of the illegal immigrants who are residing in this country today. That is why I support an approach that includes serious consequences for those who are in our country illegally and yet want to remain. We create an earned path to citizenship and tough enforcement policies for businesses and those who are working toward that citizenship. We can eliminate the shadow economy that encourages illegal immigration. According to the bill being debated. all undocumented immigrants who arrive in the United States before January 1. 2007. will be required to pay a hefty fine. a $5.000 fine. go to the end of the line. and wait 8 years before a green card can be issued. putting into place stiff regulations and expectations of those who have come here against the rules and yet want to remain. putting them at the back of the line not at the front. In addition. a touchback provision has been included that will require the head of a household to return to his or her country of origin to apply for a green card before being allowed to return. Many of us know how absolutely precious citizenship in this great land is. When I first ran for Congress.