A Response From My Congressman

[sherbug]

Thank you for contacting me about the important issue of illegal immigration. The questions regarding immigration impact not only our national security, but also the job market and economic growth of our nation.



We are a nation of immigrants, and it is clear that anyone who wants to come to this nation and properly follow the rules of admission to citizenship or legal status should be welcomed with open arms. The call of freedom is clear from the United States across the world.



But we must not reward those who violate our laws when coming into this country. People who have come to the United States illegally should not be given amnesty .



One of the first steps that must be taken is addressing the issue of border security. Our borders must be made secure by all means at our disposal, including fences and beefed-up Border Patrol operations.



Toward this end, I strongly supported H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act when it came before the U.S. House of Representatives for a vote on December 16, 2005. The legislation passed by a vote of 239-182 and has now been referred to the Senate for further consideration.



The legislation makes a number of important changes to immigration law, increasing the penalties for re-entering the country illegally and against employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens. The legislation also authorizes new equipment for border control, allows for the hiring of more border patrol agents, and allows for military support for border patrol enforcement. In addition, the legislation requires a fence to be built along part of the U.S.-Mexico border to attempt to deter illegal entry.



Another important part of the bill eliminates the "catch and release" policy currently in place. Under current law, when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) catches an illegal alien, he or she is given a notice to appear in court on a particular day, and then released. Almost none ever show up for their court appearance. Under H.R. 4437, this would end, and detention while awaiting deportation would be mandatory for all illegal immigrants.



In addition, I have joined with other members of Congress in the Immigration Reform Caucus, carefully studying what can be done to deal with the immigration problems our country faces. We can no longer wait until things are politically popular before we take action-we must enforce our immigration laws now.



Part of that enforcement involves how to address questions of legal immigration. One of the most controversial areas involves the visa lottery system. Each year, a number of individuals are awarded residency in the U.S. as part of a random process to increase diversity among applicants. I supported an amendment to H.R. 4437 that eliminated the visa lottery program. The amendment passed by a vote of 273-148.



Removing the incentive for people to come to this country for free government benefits is important. A number of women come to the United States and try to have a child as soon as possible. Since the baby is born on American soil, it is an American citizen and qualifies for welfare benefits, allowing the mother to stay in the country. I am a co-sponsor of H.R. 698 to eliminate this practice of "birthright citizenship."



Our legal immigration system is seriously backlogged, and needs to be updated. Some centers processing applications are only now reaching applications that were made in the late 1990s. The failure of our legal immigration system only provides a greater incentive to come into the country illegally. In fact, 40% of the illegal aliens in our country have overstayed visas that were legally granted. I strongly support efforts to reform our legal immigration system into a system that works.



The US Senate is currently debating comprehensive immigration reform that includes a guest worker proposal and a path to citizenship for those who are currently here illegally. Senators Chambliss and Isakson will be casting important votes, and whatever the Senate passes will be returned to the House for our consideration. I am carefully following the Senate proposals and will consider the version they send to us.



This is an issue which is vitally important to the future of our nation. Thank you for letting me know your thoughts on this important issue. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as your representative in the Congress-it is hearing from people like you that enables me to better do my job here on your behalf.



Thank you again for taking the time to contact me. For additional information regarding current legislation and the Eighth District, I invite you to visit my website at http://www.house.gov/westmoreland





Sincerely,

Lynn A Westmoreland

Member of Congress

[2ndamendsis]

SHERBUG,

Your guy is with Tancredo. The problem is having them cave to any for of "earned citizenship" or "guest worker" policy. Some of them are weakening.

THAT'S THE HITCH