Border Security is Crucial to our National Security

Border Security is Crucial to our National Security

By: Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-05)

August 24, 2006

CLEMMONS -- During the decade I served as a member of the North Carolina Senate and during my first term in the United States Congress, I have found that few issues are as important or represent as many problems as illegal immigration. I regularly raise my concerns with the House Leadership, the White House, and to all my colleagues in Congress because I feel strongly that our broken borders must be fixed immediately. When you think about it, there is no issue more important to our nation than the safety and security of American citizens and the preservation of the American way of life. Border security is the starting point for ensuring that security. If we do not keep Americans safe at home, then the many other issues we debate in Congress simply will not matter.

The terrorist attacks on our homeland highlighted the potential disastrous effects of porous borders and the need to bolster border security but the problem of illegal immigration also has additional far-reaching dangerous effects. Ultimately it punishes all who follow the laws of the United States. With over 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States, illegal immigration has a major negative impact on education, health care, Social Security, taxes, employment, wages, the environment, crime and countless other areas of American life.

It is important to point out that I sympathize with those who desperately wish to live the American dream here, on American soil. I understand their desire for liberty, free markets, property rights and guaranteed freedoms. The demand for access to America is a resounding testament to the greatness of our Nation. America is indeed a nation of immigrants, but we are also a nation of laws. Immigration laws exist to provide the necessary steps for safe and legal entry into this country. We have an immigration process in place that simply must be followed. It also must be strictly enforced.

My Democrat opponent does not understand the threat that illegal immigration poses on our security and our way of life. He and I strongly disagree on how to address this issue. My opponent proudly supports giving citizenship to illegal immigrants as a way to secure our borders. I believe those who break the law to come to America should not be rewarded for it. He is simply out of touch on the issue of illegal immigration and every other issue that is important to the people of the 5th district.

Since being sworn in as a Member of the House in January of 2005, I have listened to my constituents and encouraged my colleagues to continue fighting illegal immigration in our great country in any way possible. With your support, I will continue to be a common-sense voice in the Congress on this issue. Unlike my opponent, I understand that immigration reform is crucial to our national security and as your Representative in Congress I will continue to fight to enact strong, broad, effective laws to end illegal immigration and keep America safe.

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