Speech #1100145834

Madam President. I rise today to offer an amendment. an alternative to the amendment offered by Senator SESSIONS. an alternative that I think actually has a chance to help fix our broken immigration system. My amendment would increase border security and enforce immigration laws without wasting our resources in unnecessary and potentially even dangerous ways. We have to be smart when we think about solutions to the immigration problem. We have to enact measures that do more than sound tough. They have to be tough. We have to consider the Impact our legislation will have on other programs and other priorities. and we cannot just throw money and personnel at the border without thinking carefully about the consequences. My amendment gets to the real heart of the problem. It provides for Increased border security and Increased enforcement of Immigration laws. It gives us the manpower we need to address our Immigration problems by providing for greater staffing for the Department of Homeland Security because the Department cant do its job if it simply doesnt have sufficient staff. My amendment addresses the real root of the immigration problem: the incentivethe incentive for crossing the border without a visa. It helps eliminate this incentive by getting tough on employers who hire undocumented immigrants. We know undocumented immigrants come to the United Statesfor what? They come looking for a job. They want a better life.