Thread: Reply From A Senator

The following is the text from a (form) email I received from Senator Bill Nelson's office after I wrote expressing my views on the mess over illegal immigration:

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.

Thanks for sharing your concerns with me, and be assured I’ll keep them in mind as the Senate considers this issue.

clearly he does not see the contradiction in his own words: on the one hand he says we must enforce our exiting laws but then in same breath says there should be a way for the law BREAKERS to STAY here!

And here is what I wrote back to him:
Clearly you do not SEE the contradiction in the response you sent me to my concerns about the illegal alien issue. On the one hand, you say we need to enforce existing laws but then in the same breath, you turn around and advocate for amnesty for those who BROKE the LAW!
I vote. I have voted in every election since I became of legal age (I'm 44) and I WILL NOT vote for anyone who supports any type of amnesty for illegal aliens (even if you try to disguise it by calling it a "guest worker program). It is amnesty and it it unacceptable. If we simply stop the flow of free services and support to these illegals, arrest the employers who hire them, they will GO HOME.

HEREIS WHAT MY CONGRESSMAN THINKS ABOUT IT SOMEBODY TELL ME WHAT THEY THINK:



In recent weeks, the issue of illegal immigration has been at the forefront of public debate. Our country is faced with a situation where 11 million individuals have crossed the border and now reside in the United States illegally. I have always been a supporter of America as the land of opportunity. Each of our families has a story of their migration to this great land. However, whatever reform is enacted must not reward illegal activity. This would only serve to worsen the situation at hand.



I do not support amnesty. Citizenship is a privilege, as are the rights and entitlements thereof. Those who have broken the law have not earned the right to an unfair advantage over those who pursue citizenship legally. Additionally, we must support greater resources of manpower and infrastructure, above what Congress has previously authorized to secure our border. Operational control must be our top priority.



I am supportive of HR 4437; the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. This bill passed the House on December 16, 2005 with a 57-vote margin. Specific measures include increasing the number of border patrol officers, imposing tougher penalties on those who smuggle illegal aliens, a new employee verification system used by employers, and fence construction targeted at high-incident areas along the border. Beginning with this tough approach, we will start to better secure our borders and greatly curb the flow of illegal immigration.



Once the Senate passes a bill addressing this problem, the House will select delegates to form a conference committee. I will continue to support positive reform that will strengthen enforcement and discourage illegal activity.



For more information on this topic, please view the resources below.
See my weekly column – “Immigration: On the Road to Reform”, January 27, 2006
Full Description of House-passed bill H.R. 4437

J. Barton

What happened to making crossing illegally a felony and a felony to aid and abet border crossers?

You need not read any further than the two sentences below from your form letter. This is "politico-speak" for supporting amnesty for illegal aliens.

Originally Posted by Tex

I have always been a supporter of America as the land of opportunity. Each of our families has a story of their migration to this great land.