Strengthening our borders is a national security issue. While it is true that the vast majority of foreigners who enter the United States illegally are hard-working, otherwise law-abiding people, it is also true that our porous borders may be providing access to terrorists determined to harm our country and its people (see Strengthen our National Security).
To this end, my efforts in Congress will be directed at passing legislation that strengthens our borders. This legislation will have a three-fold purpose, first, to intercept terrorists, second, to stem the tide of those entering the country illegally and, third, to expedite legal access to this country for those individuals seeing the promise of America for themselves and their families.
More effective border security will achieve these first two objectives. Stricter enforcement of laws against hiring illegal workers will go a long way to stem that tide of illegal entry. At the same time, we need to insist that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement creates a secure, effective system for identifying legal immigrants seeking jobs. Employers need access to an instant checking system that lets them verify immediately the legality of a prospective employer so that they themselves are not unjustly held responsible for abetting the illegal entry of these workers into the United States.
Unfortunately, we have a real and practical problem with the estimated 12-14 million undocumented workers already in this country. Immediate deportation is unrealistic and impractical. Congress should develop a plan that requires these workers to come forward, to admit their guilt, and to accept their punishment. As long as they have a job and don't violate the law again, they may stay. Should they violate any law, they will be subjected to immediate deportation. Undocumented workers who don't come forward will be deported immediately upon their apprehension.
These proposals will enable us to gain control of the border, to monitor employers, to legalize the immigrant workforce, and, virtually eliminate the undocumented workers in this country.
Working people nationwide will be the beneficiaries. Wages and benefits will increase, the bargaining power of all workers will be strengthened, and our country will be more secure.
We in the 19th Congressional District, blessed already with a sizable agricultural economy, will benefit directly as well. The District's farmers will have the legal workforce they need, stimulating the local economy and creating more jobs as a result. And each of us will continue to have access in our local markets to our own district's agricultural products, the finest fruits and vegetables available anywhere in the world.
