Wittman Votes to Secure Border

Statement

Congressman Rob Wittman released this statement following a vote to reform the United States immigration system:

"Our current immigration system is broken; we need strong, serious changes to our current laws. We are a nation of laws, and we must continue to keep Americans safe, and although America is also a nation of immigrants, people need to come here legally. To keep America strong and prosperous, we need an immigration system that works for the American people.

"Today, I voted in favor of the Securing America's Future Act, H.R. 4760. Before anything else, we must secure our borders. H.R. 4760 would authorize $24.8 billion for the construction of a border wall, utilize advanced technology, implement a biometric entry-exit system, and add thousands of border patrol agents. The Securing America's Future Act would deter illegal immigration by eliminating chain migration, mandating the use of E-verify, and ending the visa-lottery program. This bill also would combat asylum fraud, provide a fix for DACA recipients, and crack down on sanctuary cities.

"Unfortunately, the Securing America's Future Act, H.R. 4760 failed to pass the House by a vote of 193 to 231. Immigration reform is not an easy task, yet a solution is not out of reach.

"As I have said before, I am against separating families at the border. President Trump has taken the first steps to remedy this issue, but Congress still must act. I believe we must consider legislation that would keep families together when they are apprehended trying to cross the border illegally. We must encourage families seeking asylum to enter through a port of entry, instead of crossing a dangerous border. We need to address our illegal immigration crisis, and I stand ready and willing to come to a solution that puts Americans first."

Source