Speech #1100080637

Much more still needs to be done. But there is no doubt about it. we are winning the war on terrorism. On June 28. 2007. the Senate. by a vote of 46 to 53. rejected cloture on a bill to provide for comprehensive Immigration reform. However. illegal immigration remains as a top domestic issue in the United States. The American people continue to encounter the effects of our failed immigration system on a daily basis. They have not forgotten the duty of Congress and the President to address this issue of illegal immigration and the security of the international borders of the United States. This amendment will help remind the President and Congress that the problem of illegal immigration is still with us. There is no consensus on the best overall approach to comprehensive immigration reform. but I believe. and many Americans do as well. that the first step is funding the necessary tools to defend our country. The Federal Government has the responsibility to. and immediately should. secure the borders of the United States. Even with our best efforts. illegal entry into the United States remains a vast problem that is getting more and more out of control. This is a security breach we must address. We must commit the sufficient money for our border security agencies. including Customs and Border Patrol. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. as well as the National Guard currently on our borders through Operation Jump Start. Many Americans from across the Nation have become engaged in this issue and shared with me their wideranging and passionate opinions on how we can secure our borders and resolve our illegal immigration crisis. I sincerely believe the greatest obstacle this body faces with the American people on the issue of border security and immigration reform is trust. The Federal Governments lack of action to uphold and enforce our immigration laws and secure our borders has eroded respect for those laws and eliminated the faith of the American people in the ability of the Government to responsibly administer immigration programs and protect our citizenry. I believe there is a clear way to regain the trust of the American people in the ability of the Federal Government to enforce our immigration laws and secure our borders. We should prove our abilities with actions rather than continuing to make promises. To that end. Senator ISAKSON and I believe the President could alleviate many of the fears of our constituents and other great citizens of America by calling for an emergency supplemental bill to fully fund the border and interior security initiatives contained in the Secure Borders. Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act of 2007. as well as any outstanding existing authorizations. Such a move would show his commitment to securing the border first. stopping the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into this country. and creating a tamper proof biometric identification card for foreign workers who are here legally. It will also work toward restoring the credibility of the Federal Government on this very critical issue. Frankly.