Dear Mrs. .......

Thank you for taking the time to contact me to express your views
regarding immigration. I appreciate hearing from you on this important
issue.

I understand your concerns about illegal immigration. I support
efforts
to prevent illegal entry into the United States. I have voted for
legislation that has boosted the number of Border Patrol and
Immigration
and Customs Enforcement agents, strengthened the standards for the
issuance of visas, and given the federal government more authority to
investigate the smuggling of illegal aliens. I also support efforts to
level the playing field for native U.S. workers by bringing the
undocumented immigrant workforce out of the shadows and requiring
employers to comply with immigration, wage, and labor protection laws.

I believe that any immigration reform legislation that emerges from
the
Senate must provide a comprehensive solution to the complex set of
immigration-related problems we face. We must strengthen the security
of
our borders through the use of advanced detection technology, increased
manpower and resources for our Border Patrol, and the targeting of
illegal
smuggling networks. We also must address one of the root causes of
illegal immigration: the willingness of American employers to hire
undocumented workers. Comprehensive immigration reform should create
an
effective electronic verification system for employees, and hold
employers
accountable when they hire unauthorized immigrants.

While immigration reform must acknowledge that illegal immigrants have
violated the law, we cannot ignore the fact that millions of
undocumented
immigrants in the United States are already part of our communities and
our economy. Comprehensive immigration reform must bring these
immigrants
out of the shadows so we can distinguish those who are contributing
members of our society from those who are a threat. We must also
provide
an opportunity for immigrants who work hard, pay taxes, have no
criminal
records, and learn the English language to advance on the path toward
legal permanent residence and citizenship. In our nation, a path to
earned legalization has always been open to immigrants pursuing the
American dream.

Finally, our government must protect Americans who provide humanitarian
aid and spiritual guidance to their neighbors, including illegal
immigrants. I will not support legislation that turns our priests,
doctors, and neighbors into criminals because they have helped those
around them in times of need.

On March 27, the Senate Judiciary Committee, on which I serve, voted to
pass immigration reform legislation drafted by Senator Arlen Specter.
Senator Specter's legislation combines elements of various immigration
reform proposals, including the legislation introduced by Senators
McCain
and Kennedy and a bill (H.R. 4437) passed by the House of
Representatives.
Senator Specter's legislation advances many of the goals I outlined
above,
and it would establish an immigration system that is tough but fair. I
voted for the Specter legislation in committee and continued to support
its principles on the Senate floor.

There is no doubt that our current immigration system is broken. We
must
replace it with one that is tough and effective, but that is also fair
and
consistent with our values. I will continue to support legislation
that
advances us toward these goals.

Thank you again for sharing your views with me.

Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

RJD/ds

P.S. If you are ever visiting Washington, please feel free to join
Senator
Obama and me at our weekly constituent coffee. When the Senate is in
session, we provide coffee and donuts every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. as we
hear what is on the minds of Illinoisans and respond to your questions.
We would welcome your participation. Please call my D.C. office for
more
details.