Amnesty Not the Answer to Immigration

Op-Ed

Amnesty Not the Answer to Immigration

By: Representative Kline

As I visit with constituents across our district, many share with me their deep concern about illegal immigration - an issue that has come to be the forefront of policy debate in our country. Many express anxiety with our nation's porous borders and the lax enforcement of immigration laws that present a clear and present danger to our national security.

Congress recognized the necessity of border security and immigration before we reached the crisis point that we are facing today. In 2005, I co-sponsored and voted for the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Act because it addressed the most critical problems we as a nation face. This legislation would have strengthened border security, established an employer verification system, and penalized those who hired illegal foreign labor. While prioritizing the most important actions, this bill was notable in what it did not contain - amnesty for illegal immigrants.

In 1986, comprehensive immigration legislation was passed by Congress and designed to be the "last" amnesty granted to those here illegally. Instead, illegal immigrants in America skyrocketed from 2.7 million to estimates today of 12 million or more. The misguided amnesty policy, combined with poor immigration enforcement and weak border controls, led to the crisis we face today.

In addition to our poor border security actions, a strong U.S. economy has encouraged the increasing stream of illegal immigrants coming to the United States. As Congress once again undertakes the challenge of creating a better immigration system, its priority must be to secure our borders. We need to take concrete steps to strengthen the Border Patrol, establish a comprehensive visa exit system, and develop an employee-employer verification system. If we do not strengthen our borders first, the rest of our actions will be meaningless at best.

I am disappointed and concerned with the current immigration bill being debated by the U.S. Senate (S. 1348). This flawed legislation does not focus on border security but instead grants "probationary status" - amnesty - to almost all of the 12 million illegal immigrants currently living in the United States. Illegal immigration threatens the safety and prosperity of all Americans and makes it more difficult for those who want to come to this country legally. Our current guest worker program should be simplified and adjusted to allow adequate numbers of seasonal and highly-skilled guest workers to contribute to the U.S. economy, but mixing such a proposal with amnesty is the wrong course of action.

Our nation has long benefited culturally and economically by accepting legal immigrants, but unregulated, illegal immigration threatens to destroy this carefully constructed system of immigration and assimilation. I will continue to strongly oppose amnesty if for no other reason than the principle of fairness and respect for the rule of law. The first action of those who would live in our country and contribute to our society should not be to break our laws. We send the wrong message to reward those who have broken our laws.

Remembering our fallen heroes on Memorial Day
Every Memorial Day offers us an opportunity to celebrate the sacrifices of the brave men and women of our Armed Forces. On this Memorial Day, we find ourselves with an even greater opportunity to reflect on the contributions of the men and women - those Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines - that have made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our nation and freedom's cause.

As we celebrate Memorial Day and pray for those fallen American heroes, and as we continue to pray for the families who have lost loved ones in connection with our current military operations throughout the world, we take to heart the true meaning of this important day.

"One's country is worth dying for, and democracy is worth dying for, because it's the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man."
- President Ronald Reagan, 1984

On this Memorial Day, we remember with gratitude all who have fallen in pursuit of a truly noble cause.

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