Hi Folks,

Just received this email in reply to my email(s) to Sen. Nelson. Although it's a form letter, they actually put my name on it.

Thanks for contacting me about immigration. All of us can agree the system is broken and needs to be fixed.

I believe the U.S. needs a smart, realistic plan to address illegal immigration—one that protects our borders and ensures that all immigrants play by the rules. To protect our borders, we need to use cutting-edge technology, including unmanned aerial vehicles. And, we need to enforce our existing laws. We also need to create a guest worker program that provides a path to legal status for those who qualify and play by the rules and deports those who do not. Playing by the rules means paying your taxes, keeping a job, and learning English.

Recently, I, along with a majority of the Senate, supported bipartisan legislation that will help secure the country’s borders while also dealing fairly with the millions of illegal immigrants already living and working in the country. Several of my provisions were added that toughened the underlying bill. They include adding 20,000 detention beds; requiring the integration of new surveillance technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles; keeping members of criminal gangs from entering the country; and increasing the number of Justice Department lawyers and other staff to more efficiently process immigration cases. Senate and House negotiators will now try to work out a final version of the bill.

Thanks for sharing your concerns with me, and don’t hesitate to contact me again.

P.S. From time to time, I compile electronic news briefs highlighting key issues and hot topics of particular importance to Floridians. If you'd like to receive these e-briefs, visit my Web site and sign up for them at http://billnelson.senate.gov/news/ebriefs.cfm