Durbin weighs in on immigration
Dick Durbin

By Kim Carollo
Posted: Sunday, May 27, 2007 at 5:03 PM

PEORIA -- Nationwide, immigration is still a hot topic.

After a weeklong recess, the U.S. Senate will weigh the immigration bill President Bush supports.

Among other things, the bill would toughen border security, but also give quick legal status to the estimated 12 million immigrants who are in the country illegally.

Senator Dick Durbin favors a harsher approach to illegal immigration.

"800,000 people a year come in the United States illegally. That has to stop, and so we've got to change the laws -- tougher border enforcement, tougher work place enforcement, dealing with those who are here in a firm but fair manner. Let them earn their way into legal status, but it will take them a long time -- they go to the back of the line,â€