Hearing of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee- Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Hearing of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee- Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Sen. Cornyn: I'm Ready To Roll Up My Sleeves And Start Work Again On Immigration Reform

Delivers opening remarks at hearing on comprehensive immigration reform

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, the top Republican on the Immigration, Refugees and Border Security Subcommittee, participated in the subcommittee's hearing on comprehensive immigration reform. Below are his opening remarks, as prepared for delivery.

Key excerpt

"Our immigration laws have failed us for years - yet we also see new reasons to take action. First, the events this week remind us that border security is a public health issue. I'm not suggesting that our laws can stop the spread of viruses. I am suggesting that as we get a better handle on who is entering and leaving our country, we can give public health officials around the world better information to keep us all healthy. Second, the U.S. economy is now in a deep recession, although many parts of Texas are still adding jobs because of pro-growth policies. The current downturn shows us why we need the flexibility of a temporary worker program. Such a program would give employers the access to labor when they need it - and give workers who do not want to live here permanently more freedom to seek out economic opportunities wherever they may be.

"For immigration reform to pass this Senate this year, we need much more than hearings and photo ops and press releases and talking points. We will need actual legislation, and leadership on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. … I know I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and start work again."

Full prepared remarks

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to thank all the witnesses for joining us today. Immigration remains one of the most timely and challenging issues of our time.

I want to make clear that legal immigration makes America a better country. Legal immigration strengthens our economy. Legal immigration forges bonds of kinship between the United States and our neighbors. Legal immigration renews our national identity as the "promised land" for families in every generation.

The people of Texas see the benefits of legal immigration. We see more jobs. We see more cultural diversity. As Texas welcomes legal immigrants from other nations, we also attract newcomers from other states. More and more Americans understand that a state that welcomes legal immigrants is a state that is creating opportunity for all.

Yet Texans also see clearly the problems with our current immigration laws. We see a border that is not secure. We see employment verification laws that are not enforced. And we see millions of men, women, and children who are here in violation of our immigration laws - and who therefore have no protections from all our other laws.

Our immigration laws have failed us for years - yet we also see new reasons to take action. First, the events this week remind us that border security is a public health issue. I'm not suggesting that our laws can stop the spread of viruses. I am suggesting that as we get a better handle on who is entering and leaving our country, we can give public health officials around the world better information to keep us all healthy.

Second, the U.S. economy is now in a deep recession, although many parts of Texas are still adding jobs because of pro-growth policies. The current downturn shows us why we need the flexibility of a temporary worker program. Such a program would give employers the access to labor when they need it - and give workers who do not want to live here permanently more freedom to seek out economic opportunities wherever they may be.

Millions of Americans have a very personal perspective on the flaws in our immigration system. I appreciate all those who will share their perspectives today. Yet I wish we had the opportunity to hear from more witnesses.

Mr. Chairman: if there's one thing I've learned about immigration over the years, it's that you can't filter out the voices you don't want to hear. We need to hear from legal immigrants -those who have obeyed the law and followed the rules. We need to hear from students - and the high-tech employers who want to hire them once they've earned their degrees. We need to hear from state and local governments that face higher education and health care costs due to illegal immigration.

Yet the voices most notably absent from this hearing are those of President Obama's Administration. Mr. Chairman: I appreciate your assurance that the President is serious about immigration reform.

But last night the President backed away from his promise to show leadership on immigration reform in his first 100 days. I don't think forming a "working group" is showing real leadership.

The last time Congress addressed this issue, the Administration shared its views in person. We had Cabinet officials testify at our hearings - and the Administration showed it was serious through consistent, substantive, high-level engagement. I certainly don't see that engagement this morning, Mr. Chairman. I don't see any cabinet secretaries. I haven't heard from any senior policymakers at the White House. I don't see a specific plan from the Administration. I also don't see much leadership from the majority in Congress.

The last time Congress worked on immigration reform - in 2006 and 2007 - we spend a lot of time on it. We spent 36 working days on the Senate floor alone - so that's doesn't even include all the committee work and the time we all spent meeting with constituents and stakeholders. There were a lot of late nights and working weekends the last time around, Mr. Chairman - and it's going to require a similar amount of time and energy to get anything done in 2009.

I know I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and start work again. But these witnesses and the American people need to know if the majority is ready to roll up its sleeves too - or if this hearing is just for show.

And before you challenge me to propose my own plan, Mr. Chairman, let me remind you that I already have. In 2005, Senator Kyl and I introduced the Comprehensive Enforcement and Immigration Reform Act - and I believe that the principles we wrote into that legislation can still guide us today.

• I believe we must strengthen border security first.
• I believe we must strengthen interior security so that we can remove from our country violent criminals, potential terrorists, and repeat immigration violators.
• I believe we must create tamper-proof identification - and deliver an employer verification system that is reliable … works in real time … and does not place the burdens of law enforcement on small businesses.
• I believe that we must streamline our temporary worker programs - and offer visas to more highly-skilled workers.
• And I believe we must deliver a fair but firm solution to the millions of men, women, and children who are here in violation of our laws.

By "fair" I mean we must show compassion to those who came to this country for the same reason millions of others have: to build a better life for their families. And by "firm" I mean we must ensure respect for the rule of law … honor those who have played by the rules … and welcome those in other nations who are waiting patiently for their turn to enter this country legally.

Of course, I'm not the only one who's worked on comprehensive immigration reform - and has the scars to prove it. Many of us worked hard on immigration reform during the last Congress. While I ended up voting against the bill, I appreciated the leadership of the man you are replacing on this committee, Mr. Chairman: Senator Kennedy. He and I have disagreed about many issues - but we've worked closely together.

In fact, in my first year in the Senate, I was proud to work with Senator Kennedy to pass legislation that expedited citizenship approval for individuals serving in our armed forces. I have always respected Senator Kennedy for being a legislator, first and foremost. He doesn't really care much for hearing about your principles. He wants to see your legislative text. He wants to get a deal done. He kept this committee on its toes - and he knew that in immigration law, the devil is in the details.

Mr. Chairman: I hope that Senator Kennedy's seriousness of purpose and attention to detail will define your own tenure as leader of this Subcommittee. I appreciate that you worked on the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act with President Reagan. That legislation was enacted with the best of intentions, but it has failed our country and we need to fix it.

For immigration reform to pass this Senate this year, we need much more than hearings and photo ops and press releases and talking points. We will need actual legislation, and leadership on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue.

I believe each of these witnesses is looking for that leadership as well. They want to see what you and the Administration intend to propose. I share their curiosity, and I look forward to hearing their views.

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