Speech #1100054124

But how does the rule of law get promoted when we say to a U.S. citizen who has applied for their family member waiting abroad. waiting their time. following the rules. obeying the rule of law. that. in fact. they have an inferior right to someone who did not follow the rules. who did not obey the law. and who ultimately will receive a benefit superior to that U.S. citizen who is claiming their family member and waiting under the law and pursuing the law. I think it sends the wrong message about what the rule of law is all about. Our amendment very simply says a U.S. citizen claiming their family member waiting under the legal process. waiting abroad. that their right should not be snuffed out like that under this bill in May of 2005. when those who have crossed the borders of our country through a process that is unchecked. undocumented. get a benefit January 2007. Break the law. you get a benefit January 2007: follow the law. the rule of law. obey it. your right is snuffed out in May of 2005. 1 think if we want to send a message about the rule of law. what we want to do is ensure that we put on an equal footing the right of a U.S. citizen claiming their family member. obeying the law. to give them the same opportunity as those who have not. That is what our amendment is all about. Killer amendment? Family reunification. rule of law. following the rules. a killer amendment? I have heard a lot about family values in my 15 years in the Congress. It is interesting. The voices of family values dont have the same values when it comes to this issue. Clearly. this vote will be a test of those who say they are for strengthening families. for bringing families together. for understanding the very essence of how strong families make for strong communities. of how we want to bring families together. Family reunification is at the core of the amendment I have offered before the Senate and that I believe we will be voting on tomorrow. I believe it is a false choice to suggest that this legislation cannot move forward and that. in fact. we will have a killer amendment simply because we want to give a universe of people who have obeyed the law. followed the rules. sons and daughters. mothers and fathers. children of U.S. citizens. a chance over time to be able to come in. It seems to me that is a false choice. It is also a false choice. under the new point system that is being devised for future immigration. that this new point system. in which there is 100 points maximum score. well. yes. we need new workers who will be highly skilled. I believe we can reconcile that need. I am hoping that we will actually do a much better job of educating Americans who will be able to be the engineers. the scientists. the researchers. and developers. those in the new technologies who will fuel Americas prosperity. But while we move toward making that a reality. sure I am for saying that. OK. we are going to subscribe a series of points toward those people who have the skills. But must it be largely at the exclusion of family reunification? Is there no significant value to the idea that when you have someone come that their family members are ultimately a significant part of the strength and vitality of the country. of the success of those individuals on behalf of the country? Servicemembers. who are not United States citizens or were not United States citizens. in different branches of the Armed Forces of the United States. who were worthy of wearing the uniform of the United States. worthy of fighting for the United States. worthy of being injured and shedding blood on behalf of the United States. but not worthynot worthyof being able to claim their family members?