Thread: U.S. Senator Enzi getting to the bottom of the border bill

Enzi getting to the bottom of the border bill, says process flawed, reaffirms opposition to amnesty

May 18, 2007

Washington, D.C. – As the U.S. Senate gears up to debate an immigration measure next week, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., is sorting through the proposal, but warns that if the final bill includes amnesty, he will oppose it.

Enzi will not support any bill that rewards illegal behavior.

"I will not support legislation that rewards illegal immigrants while passing by those who are standing in line, those who are following the rules and trying to enter this country legally," Enzi said.

Enzi said the bill must provide for strong border security.

"The first order of business is border security. We need to know who is coming in and if they aren’t coming here legally they should be sent home. We already have laws on the books and they should be enforced. If we need more resources to enforce them then so be it. Our physical and financial security depend on it," Enzi said.

Enzi said all new laws must also be realistically enforceable and that legal immigrants, mostly seasonal workers, play a vital role in the Wyoming economy.

Made by a few, opposed by many?

"This was a bill negotiated by few and put together without the benefit of the committee process. I continue to closely examine the 300 to 1,000 page bill language as new developments unfold and will make decisions keeping in mind concerns I’ve heard from the people of Wyoming. There are going to be a lot of changes proposed over the next few days to the announced proposal," Enzi said. Aside from the legislation itself, Enzi is concerned with the process the leadership chose to get the bill to the floor while shutting out many senators and not fully disclosing the contents of the bill in a timely manner.

"This is a complex issue and my staff and I need time to fully evaluate the bill and all of its implications. Senate leadership is trying to ram this bill into law by ignoring Senate procedure. The bill never went through a committee, but instead was put on the Senate calendar by invoking a rule that circumvents the normal committee process. This kind of maneuvering, especially when we are dealing with an issue that affects every sector of our economy and countless lives across the country, is counterproductive. The bill’s flaws should be exposed and worked on in committee and then brought to the floor rather than starting with legislation that is still raw."

http://enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm ... ae86c6792a

We already have laws on the books and they should be enforced. If we need more resources to enforce them then so be it. Our physical and financial security depend on it," Enzi said.

Hey, he's been reading from our book.