Immigration Reform Next?

Statement

Dear Friend,

Whether you agree or disagree with the Democratic leadership's legislative agenda in Congress -- I have opposed most of it -- I think most folks believe it's been a highly partisan, highly controversial year and a half.

That agenda has most recently been highlighted by the passage of healthcare reform, which I strongly opposed along with most East Alabamians.

After spending the last couple of weeks traveling across East Alabama, holding public forums and town halls, and listening to folks' growing concerns about our economy and Congress' agenda, I thought Washington may have had enough of controversy.
Well, guess again.

If you thought their version of healthcare reform was bad, wait until you see what's being discussed now.
Immigration reform.

Some of the proposals being floated range from open borders to creating a path to citizenship to amnesty.

Any of these types of proposals that come up, I will strongly oppose.

We are, of course, a nation of immigrants.

Our economy needs people to come here legally and work, especially in our agriculture sector.

But as I've said before, before Congress considers any immigration bill, it should seal our borders first to gain control over this national security nightmare.

I've been a strong supporter of building a fence on our southern border.

Unfortunately, the White House and the Democratic Congress don't seem to agree.

In fact, the President's budget request for 2011 slashes funding for fencing and technology on the border by over $225 million.

To make matters worse, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as of last year there were over 540,000 fugitive aliens at large in the United States.

But the Administration requests no additional funds or staff to help apprehend and remove these dangerous criminal aliens.

The trend on workplace enforcement isn't encouraging.

Administrative arrests are down 68 percent, criminal arrests down 60 percent and criminal indictments down 58 percent.

We know that around seven million illegal immigrants are working here illegally.

It's clear the Federal government is failing in its fundamental -- I would argue Constitutional -- responsibility to seal and secure our borders.

In the immigration reform debate, that should come first.

As always, my staff and I are here to serve you.
Sincerely,

Mike Rogers

Alabama's Third District

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