MARTINEZ: BIPARTISAN IMMIGRATION REFORM BILL TO BE DEBATED NEXT WEEK

May 17, 2007 -
Washington -

U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) today joined a bipartisan group of senators in announcing an agreement has been reached on comprehensive immigration reform legislation. The consensus bill will be introduced on the Senate floor next week with debate to follow.

Senator Martinez said:

“We are a nation of laws and also a nation of immigrants. But the fact of the matter is that our current immigration system has failed. This bipartisan and comprehensive reform package addresses our country’s immigration policy and goes beyond to focus on our nation’s economy and security.

“This bill has a great deal of balance in it because it enforces our borders first and foremost while ensuring America has the labor force our economy desperately needs.

“Before enacting immigration policy reforms, the measure calls for the hiring of border agents, the building of fencing at vulnerable border crossing areas, the building of other electronic barriers, and the creation of a tamper-proof I.D. system for employer verification.

“The guest worker program included in this bill will provide the labor America needs. Workers from other countries will have a clear understanding before ever coming that they're coming to work for a limited period of time. Much as a student visa holder comes for two years to go to school, guest workers can come for two years before returning home for a year.

“To the 12 million people that are here today illegally, this bill provides an opportunity for them to come out of the shadows. For those individuals who pay fines, maintain employment, obey the law and learn English, they can have a path forward to stay here and continue to work. If they go back to their home country, they can apply for permanent residence and get in the back of the line as any fair system would dictate.

“This consensus bill will make America stronger, give some charity to people that are here while at the same time giving Americans the assurances that our borders are going to be secured. It isn't perfect. It's the best solution that we could find today, working together in good faith in a bipartisan way.â€