munnu77705
Registered Users (C)
I had requested to seperate illegal immigrants form legal.
I got the reply today
Dear Mr. xx:
Thank you for contacting me about immigration reform. I share your concern, and I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this important matter.
During the first six months of 2005, in my role as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Border Security, Immigration, and Citizenship, I worked closely with Arizona Senator Jon Kyl to conduct a thorough review of our nation's immigration laws and formulate ways to fix our currently broken system.
To this end, we introduced the Comprehensive Enforcement and Immigration Reform Act of 2005 (S. 1438) on July 20, 2005. This legislation is designed to strengthen enforcement of our immigration laws and reform our immigration system. It is based on both the rule of law and the fundamental American principle of fairness.
The need for reform is clear. According to recent reports, there has been a 30 percent increase in illegal immigration since the year 2000, and there are an estimated 10 to 12 million illegal aliens currently in the United States. Information suggests terrorists and other criminals are aware of the holes in our system and may seek to exploit these weaknesses.
The truth is that we have not devoted the funds, resources, or manpower required to fully enforce our immigration laws or protect our borders. S. 1438 would authorize additional Customs and Border Protection officers as well as funding for technological advances including cameras, sensors, and unmanned aerial vehicles. This legislation also calls for the expansion of Expedited Removal program, which allows the Department of Homeland Security to more quickly remove aliens who are ineligible to enter the country.
We must also strengthen interior enforcement and ensure that criminal aliens are identified and deported. This legislation authorizes additional detention beds and expands a program that identifies criminal aliens while they are still serving time in state and local jails. It also authorizes funds to reimburse states for the costs they incur because of criminal illegal aliens.
The most important step toward reducing illegal immigration is the development of a more effective system for verifying work authorization. If a merchant can swipe a card to determine whether a credit card number is valid, certainly the federal government can develop a system that allows employers to verify whether a new hire is authorized to work.
Enforcement alone will not work; we must also create better avenues for legal immigration. Our legislation creates a new temporary visa category that allows foreign workers to enter the country for a short period of time and then requires them to return home. It creates financial incentives for circular migration—including a temporary worker investment fund that vests only when the worker returns to his or her home country.
Finally, this legislation creates a fair and reasonable process to transition the current undocumented worker population back into the legal flow of immigrants. It requires those who entered illegally to depart the United States and re-enter through normal, legal channels. Only then may they return as temporary workers. All we ask is that they enter legally.
I believe undocumented workers would be willing to participate. In fact, a recent survey shows that, by a 4-to-1 margin, undocumented workers would participate in a program allowing them to work in the United States for a few years on the condition that they return home.
Critics allege that our proposal will strand workers outside the United States and disrupt the economy and workforce. I disagree, and I'm committed to ensuring that our proposal allows for a smooth transition.
Immigration reform ultimately must be about improving legal immigration, not about creating a new process that benefits only illegal aliens. If all immigrants must abide by the rule of law and are treated equally, then we can reach a consensus on ways to improve the legal process so that it meets the needs of society, the economy, and our national security.
As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Border Security, Immigration, and Citizenship, I will continue working to curtail illegal immigration and its effects on the State of Texas while ensuring that immigrants following the rule of law have an equal opportunity to realize their potential as they become productive members of our society. For your convenience, I have compiled detailed summaries of S. 1438 and other relevant information at http://cornyn.senate.gov/immigration.
I appreciate the opportunity to represent the interests of Texans in the United States Senate. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.
Sincerely,
JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator
I got the reply today
Dear Mr. xx:
Thank you for contacting me about immigration reform. I share your concern, and I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this important matter.
During the first six months of 2005, in my role as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Border Security, Immigration, and Citizenship, I worked closely with Arizona Senator Jon Kyl to conduct a thorough review of our nation's immigration laws and formulate ways to fix our currently broken system.
To this end, we introduced the Comprehensive Enforcement and Immigration Reform Act of 2005 (S. 1438) on July 20, 2005. This legislation is designed to strengthen enforcement of our immigration laws and reform our immigration system. It is based on both the rule of law and the fundamental American principle of fairness.
The need for reform is clear. According to recent reports, there has been a 30 percent increase in illegal immigration since the year 2000, and there are an estimated 10 to 12 million illegal aliens currently in the United States. Information suggests terrorists and other criminals are aware of the holes in our system and may seek to exploit these weaknesses.
The truth is that we have not devoted the funds, resources, or manpower required to fully enforce our immigration laws or protect our borders. S. 1438 would authorize additional Customs and Border Protection officers as well as funding for technological advances including cameras, sensors, and unmanned aerial vehicles. This legislation also calls for the expansion of Expedited Removal program, which allows the Department of Homeland Security to more quickly remove aliens who are ineligible to enter the country.
We must also strengthen interior enforcement and ensure that criminal aliens are identified and deported. This legislation authorizes additional detention beds and expands a program that identifies criminal aliens while they are still serving time in state and local jails. It also authorizes funds to reimburse states for the costs they incur because of criminal illegal aliens.
The most important step toward reducing illegal immigration is the development of a more effective system for verifying work authorization. If a merchant can swipe a card to determine whether a credit card number is valid, certainly the federal government can develop a system that allows employers to verify whether a new hire is authorized to work.
Enforcement alone will not work; we must also create better avenues for legal immigration. Our legislation creates a new temporary visa category that allows foreign workers to enter the country for a short period of time and then requires them to return home. It creates financial incentives for circular migration—including a temporary worker investment fund that vests only when the worker returns to his or her home country.
Finally, this legislation creates a fair and reasonable process to transition the current undocumented worker population back into the legal flow of immigrants. It requires those who entered illegally to depart the United States and re-enter through normal, legal channels. Only then may they return as temporary workers. All we ask is that they enter legally.
I believe undocumented workers would be willing to participate. In fact, a recent survey shows that, by a 4-to-1 margin, undocumented workers would participate in a program allowing them to work in the United States for a few years on the condition that they return home.
Critics allege that our proposal will strand workers outside the United States and disrupt the economy and workforce. I disagree, and I'm committed to ensuring that our proposal allows for a smooth transition.
Immigration reform ultimately must be about improving legal immigration, not about creating a new process that benefits only illegal aliens. If all immigrants must abide by the rule of law and are treated equally, then we can reach a consensus on ways to improve the legal process so that it meets the needs of society, the economy, and our national security.
As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Border Security, Immigration, and Citizenship, I will continue working to curtail illegal immigration and its effects on the State of Texas while ensuring that immigrants following the rule of law have an equal opportunity to realize their potential as they become productive members of our society. For your convenience, I have compiled detailed summaries of S. 1438 and other relevant information at http://cornyn.senate.gov/immigration.
I appreciate the opportunity to represent the interests of Texans in the United States Senate. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.
Sincerely,
JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator