Speech #1100111086

I submit. we should be going in. We dont want to send the wrong message. The question sort of comes down to. do we have the will to enforce our immigration law? Do we have the will to do it? Will we stand on principle and law and sound public policy? Or will we allow emotion and politics to further erode an already weak immigration system and further erode the perception that we are serious about creating a lawful system. Passing the DREAM Act today would. in the wake of failed comprehensive reform that we had this summerif we had done that before we have been able to secure our borders and before we have been able to create a lawful system of immigration. that is not the right way for us to go. It is not. It cannot be gotten around. It sends the wrong message. It will say we have immigration laws but no intent to enforce them. It will send a message that if you break our laws. not only will that be forgiven. but you will be put at the head of the line and you will be financially rewarded for it. That is not what we have to do to create a lawful system.