Speech #1100067199

We will yet have a House bill. we will yet have conference. and we will yet have an opportunity to meet objections which are presently lodged against the bill. Just a word of explanation. When I tear up. it is a result of chemotherapy. it is not a result of sadness on the current status of the immigration bill. There is unity of judgment in both the House and the Senate. and I think broadly across America. that we need to reinstate the rule of law. We need to fix our broken borders. We need to have law enforcement against individuals who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. That is a very major part of the pending bill. The current bill provides for an increased Border Patrol from 12.000 to 18.000---6.000 new people. It provides for additional fencing. although fencing was legislated in the 109th Congress. It provides for drones to fly overhead. It provides for fencing to protect urban areas. While you cant build an impenetrable fence of more than 2.000 miles above the border. we do cover a great deal of border protection. But no matter how secure the border is. as long as there is a magnet so people can get jobs in the United States which are better than other places. immigrants will be attracted. illegal immigrants will be attracted. That is why we have structured provisions in this bill to have foolproof identification so employers will be able to know with certainty whether an individual is a legal or an illegal immigrant. That being the case. if employers hire illegal immigrants knowing they are illegal immigrants because they are in a position to make that determination. it is fair to have sanctions. and for repeat offenders tougher sanctions. and for repeat offenders. confirmed recidivists. to have jail time so we will provide the incentives of law enforcement on whitecollar crime. which is very effective as a deterrent. I have seen that from my own experience as a prosecuting attorney. In this bill we have issues which are agreed upon by everyone to secure our borders. to impose the rule of law. and to control illegal immigration. But that is not the end of the issue on comprehensive legislation. We have a guest worker program. In the midst of many objections which I am receiving about the bill. I am also hearing a great deal from people who say we need to have immigrant workers. that they are a vital part of our workforce. The landscapers have contacted me. The farmers have contacted me.