Madam President. just over 3 years ago. the Senate overwhelmingly passed comprehensive. bipartisan immigration reform. That bill secured the border. It provided an earned path to citizenship that would bring millions out of the shadows and reformed and modernized our legal immigration system. It represented the Senate at its finest. It was a serious effort to solve a serious problem. The two bills the Senate will turn to shortly stand in stark contrast. It appears that Republican leadership prefers instead an approach that is inspired by Donald Trump and the antiimmigrant rhetoric that is fueling his campaign. These efforts. embodied in the Toomey and Cruz bills. would take our immigration system in the opposite direction and pit local law enforcement and communities against each other. pushing hardworking immigrants back into the shadows. What a difference a change in leadership makes. There are few topics more fundamental to our national identity than immigration. A consistent thread through our history is the arrival of new people to this country seeking a better life. Immigration has been an ongoing source of renewal for Americaa renewal of our spirit. our creativity. and our economic strength. The Senate reaffirmed its commitment to these ideals when we approved S. 744. the Border Security. Economic Opportunity. and Immigration Modernization Act 3 years ago. That legislation was supported by 68 Senators from both parties. It was a remarkable. bipartisan effort that was the subject of an extensive amendment process in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
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antiimmigrant immigration Border Security Immigration immigrants