Issues / Immigration
Our country is in urgent need of a new immigration policy.
We need common-sense laws that will crack down on illegal
immigration and protect our nation from those who wish
us harm. In the post-9/11 world, protecting our borders
must be a top priority. As we know all too well, not all
who cross our borders want to share in the American dream.
And if we do not know who is coming into our country,
we cannot keep our homeland safe. Border security is first
and foremost a matter of national security.
But illegal immigration is also about
economic security. While America has always been a welcoming
nation, illegal immigration creates an underclass of
workers who provide unfair competition with the many
hardworking Americans who are struggling just to make
ends meet. As a result, undocumented workers have driven
down wages, benefits and working conditions for all
workers.
Amnesty has been proposed for some
or all of the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants
already in the United States. I believe this sends the
wrong signal. Immigration reform should reflect a commitment
to enforcement, not reward those who break the rules.
We can't just give people a pass because it's the easy
thing to do. It will weaken our entire immigration system
and undermine our ability to enforce the law. Since
first elected, Congressman Boren has:
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Voted to place
more inspectors and canine units at border crossings |
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Voted to require
all employers to check the immigration status of
job applicants and stiffen penalties against employers
for hiring illegal immigrants |
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Voted to construct
a 700-mile fence along the southern border |
Any comprehensive immigration reform
must start with the basics. We can't enforce the laws
we have - much less new ones - without first knowing
who and what is coming across our borders.
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