Thread: Letter from Senator Dick Durbin -oh boy...

Here is is. I got this in response to the numbersusa alert letter I sent him.



July 17, 2006


Dear :

Thank you for contacting me regarding immigration reform and Social
Security benefits. I appreciate hearing from you.

Our nation faces a host of problems as a result of decades of inattention
to our immigration policies. There is plenty of blame to go around for
the breakdown of our immigration system, but it is clear that the federal
government must act to fix it. I have seen the pressing economic concerns
that face America's workers and taxpayers as a result of illegal
immigration. Congress must act to reform our immigration system
comprehensively, and we must do so in a way that is tough but fair and
consistent with our values.

I voted in favor of S. 2611, the immigration reform bill that passed the
Senate on May 25, 2006. This bill offers a comprehensive framework for
reform. It would strengthen the integrity of America's borders through
the use of advanced detection technology, increased manpower and resources
for our Border Patrol, targeted border fencing, and the prosecution of
illegal smuggling networks. It would devote significant additional
resources to our immigration enforcement agencies, which are overwhelmed
and underfunded. The bill would create an electronic verification system
that will rapidly inform employers as well as enforcement agencies of
whether a prospective employee is authorized to work in this country. The
bill would also hold employers accountable when they hire unauthorized
immigrants, in order to eliminate the incentive for employers to hire
undocumented workers and for foreigners to migrate illegally.

Along with these strong enforcement steps, S. 2611 would address the
issues associated with the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants
who already live in the United States. Illegal immigrants have, by
definition, broken our nation's immigration laws, and they must be
penalized for having done so. However, as the President has said, it is
not a realistic option to round up and deport the entire undocumented
population. While many categories of undocumented immigrants must be and
will continue to be prioritized for deportation, we are faced with the
choice of either leaving the remaining immigrants in the shadows or else
giving them an opportunity to earn legalized, taxpaying status.

Given this choice, the better approach is to bring the remaining
immigrants out of the shadows and allow those with appropriate
qualifications to obtain legalized status if they pay fines, pay any back
taxes they owe, have no criminal record, learn English, and go to the back
of the line behind legal immigration applicants. If they obtain legal
status, these immigrants will be governed by wage and labor laws so that
employers will no longer have an incentive to pass over American job
seekers in favor of lower-earning and easily-exploited immigrants. This
will help end the black market of illegal labor that hurts American
workers, and the monies paid in by these immigrants will ease the burden
on America's taxpayers.

While S. 2611 is far from perfect, the bill represents a significant
improvement over the status quo, and I will support such a comprehensive
approach as Congress continues to address immigration reform.

Numerous amendments were considered during the Senate's debate on S. 2611.
My votes on these amendments were guided by two main principles. First, I
am concerned about the potential impact of proposed temporary guestworker
programs on the American workforce. In contrast to those immigrants who
are already here and actively engaged in our workforce, guestworker
programs would bring in a large future flow of immigrant workers. In many
industries, the assured availability of large pools of foreign
guestworkers will give employers an incentive to pass over American job
applicants in favor of foreigners willing to work for lower pay and fewer
benefits. I supported amendments that would eliminate or restrict
guestworker programs in the bill.

Second, I supported amendments that sought to treat in a humanitarian
fashion those immigrants who are in vulnerable populations or who achieve
legal status under S. 2611. I voted against amendments that would impose
continuing penalties on immigrants after they have paid their fines and
obtained legalized status under the bill.

For instance, Senate Amendment 3985, introduced by Senator Ensign, would
have denied certain Social Security benefits to immigrants who obtain
legalized status under S. 2611. Essentially, this amendment would have
prevented those immigrants who could prove that they paid Social Security
taxes while working in undocumented status from receiving credit for the
taxes they paid, if they eventually obtain a green card and qualify for
Social Security benefits. In addition to leaving these legalized
permanent residents without financial security upon reaching old age, the
amendment would abandon the time-honored principle that if you pay into
the Social Security system, you get out what you pay in. I did not
support this amendment, and it was rejected by the Senate in a bipartisan
vote. (The amendment did not affect the current law which denies Social
Security benefits for undocumented immigrants - a sensible law that I
support.)

There is no perfect solution to the problems we face as a result of our
broken immigration system. I recognize that the immigration debate has
created strong opinions on all sides, and I appreciate your sharing your
views with me. I am working in good faith to pursue a balanced package of
reforms that will protect American workers and taxpayers and that will be
tough but enforceable, economically sensible and morally fair. I will
keep your views in mind as I continue to work toward those goals.

Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

Hmmm, a lot of fluff on what S. 2611 is suppose to do, but very little on what it will ACTUALLY DO.

IMHO, Dick Durbin is absolutely tied for FIRST PLACE with several other senators on the:

SENATORS WHO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED TO FIRE LIST:

McCain, Kennedy, Specter, Lindsay Graham, Durbin.

Congratulations you foolish traitors you're all tied for first place. :P

Hmmm. Did I leave a few off. That first place tie list looks awfully short.

This bill offers a comprehensive framework for
reform. It would strengthen the integrity of America's borders through
the use of advanced detection technology, increased manpower and resources
for our Border Patrol, targeted border fencing, and the prosecution of
illegal smuggling networks.

This bill offers nothing but a framework. More promises like 1986, and no commitment or funding. This senator voted nay to fund the targeted fencing. Vote NAY on Senator Durbin!

Originally Posted by fedupinwaukegan

I voted in favor of S. 2611, the immigration reform bill that passed the
Senate on May 25, 2006. This bill offers a comprehensive framework for
reform. It would strengthen the integrity of America's borders through
the use of advanced detection technology, increased manpower and resources for our Border Patrol, targeted border fencing, and the prosecution of illegal smuggling networks.

He forgot to mention they just voted NOT to fund the border fence part of their get tough amnesty plan. How typical. Sounds like Amnesty 1986 all over again. It is not hard to see why it failed thenand will fail now. They have no intention of holding themselves accountable. They have no intention of holding anyone from SOUTH OF THE BORDER accountable.

Trouble

LegalUScitizen wrote:

SENATORS WHO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED TO FIRE LIST:

McCain, Kennedy, Specter, Lindsay Graham, Durbin.

Couldn't agree more! If we had term limits in the senate, none of these guys would be a problem. Geez, Kennedy and Specter would have been gone 100 years ago! Without term limits, these guys know they're safe, because corporate America is in their corner.

MW is right; I would like to add Smith and Wyden to that list from Oregon. Smith frozen foods Humm, think there might be a dog ion the fight there. Wyden just another idiot.

What are we suppose to do everytime we get these letters? Bang our heads on the wall? GEEZ!

Originally Posted by sawdust

What are we suppose to do everytime we get these letters? Bang our heads on the wall? GEEZ!

Correct them, Grade them and Send them back. Sounds like a Grade F to me.

Dixie