Speech #1140010480

Mr. President. everyone agrees that our immigration system is broken. The immigration system we have now hurts our economy. and it hurts our national security. The Senate passed a bipartisan immigration bill. the House of Representatives chose not to act. Again. the Senate passed a comprehensive immigration bill. That is why I supported the Executive action by President Obama to address our immediate immigration crisis. We cannot wait for the House of Representatives Republicans to act. and that is because immigration is one of our countrys greatest strengths. Immigrants are a vital part of the fabric of Massachusetts and of our country. They start businesses. they create jobs. and they contribute to our communities. The Presidents Executive order recognizes the value of immigrants to our country. President Obamas Executive order will bring millions of lawabiding immigrants out of the shadows and help to keep those families together. The order allows law enforcement to focus its resources where they belong: reinforcing security at our borders and prosecuting and deporting dangerous criminals who pose threats to public safety. This Executive action cannot and should not be viewed as the final word on the matter of immigration reform. It is the beginning of an effort to permanently fix our broken immigration system. What unites us in Massachusetts and all across America is the unshakable belief that no matter where you come from. no matter what your circumstances. you can achieve the American dream. The immigration system we have now doesnt reflect those values. Unfortunately. instead of working to fix the problems with our immigration system. the majority of the Senate has been manufacturing a government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. even as our Nation faces real threats to our safety and to our national security if we dont fully fund the Department of Homeland Security. The majority seems more interested in undermining President Obamas border policy than funding actual border protection in our country. Lets look at what could happen if Homeland Security funding lapses. No. 1.