Thread: Rep. Rodriguez responds re. SAVE act.

July 25, 2008



Dear Mr. XXXX:



Thank you for contacting me with your views on the discharge petition on H.R. 4088, the Secure America through Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act. I appreciate knowing what is important to my constituents, and I am glad to respond.



As the Congressman who represents the longest stretch of border between the United States and Mexico, I am well aware that our borders are not secure and our immigration system is broken. I take these issues very seriously.



As you know, H.R. 4088 aims to accomplish three main goals: 1) adding resources to the border; 2) ensuring a legal workforce; and 3) enforcing our immigration laws. I believe accomplishing these goals should be a priority for this Congress and that is why I am an original cosponsor of the SAVE Act.



H.R. 4088 would add 8,000 new border patrol agents and increase the authority of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by adding agents and training more state and local law enforcement personnel to support our border security efforts. Additionally, the bill would make mandatory the E-Verify program for employers to ensure that the workers they hire are legally eligible to be employed in the United States.



Some have interpreted the SAVE Act to be a substitute for a comprehensive approach to immigration reform. The truth is that the SAVE Act is not meant to be a comprehensive solution to our immigration problems. However, it is one way to address some immediate needs related to securing our borders and enforcing our immigration laws.



On March 11, 2008, a motion was filed to discharge eight House Committees from consideration of H.R. 4088 with the purpose of expediting a vote on this bill. Though I understand the urgency surrounding this issue, I believe the committee process should not be disregarded especially when we are dealing with immigration and border security issues. Furthermore, in its current form, H.R. 4088 is not likely to receive the support necessary to pass in the House. By having each committee review it, this legislation can be molded and refined into a bill that will both achieve its original goals and pass the House with the widest support possible.



There is no doubt that we need new policies for border security and immigration, and I will continue to work closely with my colleagues to make sure these issues are addressed and that the border receives the resources it needs.



Thank you again for taking the time to contact me. I encourage you to contact me in the future with any other questions or concerns you may have about legislation or issues impacting our district, our state, and our nation.




Sincerely,


Ciro D. Rodriguez
Member of Congress

Ask him about H.R.'s 1-5. Pelosi put all of those on the floor without going through the legislative process. It's a smoke screen.

Hold his feet to the fire.

So the bottom line is he didn't sign the discharge petition and is not serious about combating illegal immigration. In fact, he wants to aid and abet illegal immigration. It's not surprising that his career grade from ABI is a big, fat F.

Wake-up America, there will never be anymore eggs in the hen houses if we

keep electing the same ole folks..