If there was ever any doubt as to Senator Casey's position on immigration, there isn't now:


Dear XXXXX

Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding illegal immigration. I appreciate hearing from all Pennsylvanians about the issues that matter most to them.

The United States’ heritage of immigration has helped to make it the greatest nation in the world. It is extremely important to me, however, to ensure that Pennsylvanians and Americans are protected from the security risks associated with immigration, both legal and illegal. I support a comprehensive approach to immigration that will maintain a balance between offering opportunities to honest, hardworking men and women who want a better life for their families, and defending our homeland security from foreign threats.

I believe that the Bush Administration and previous Congresses have not effectively accomplished that balance. They have neither enforced existing immigration policies, nor prevented illegal immigration. Experts now estimate that ten to fifteen million illegal immigrants live here and another 500,000 cross the border each year.

Last year, the Senate passed S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006. The bill was not perfect, but it was an earnest bipartisan effort to reform immigration laws in this country. If I had been in the Senate, I would have voted for the bill because I believe it is long past time to take action and the bill contained important reforms. I was disappointed then when the Senate and the House versions of the immigration bill contained too many differences that were never able to be resolved and the bill was not sent to the White House for the President’s approval.

I believe that this issue is too important to be derailed by political gridlock. I’m very pleased, therefore, that the Judiciary Committee held a hearing in February with Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff and Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez to reconsider comprehensive immigration reform. I was also encouraged to hear more recently that a bipartisan group of senators has been meeting informally with high administration officials and that these senators are now beginning to draft a compromise immigration bill they hope will serve as the leading vehicle for comprehensive reform this Congress. I look forward to giving full consideration to that bill when it reaches the floor.

I will work with my colleagues from both parties in the Senate to protect our domestic priorities and your tax dollars while promoting an effective immigration policy. My foremost concerns are protecting national security and promoting economic growth for current U.S. workers and future generations of Americans. Please continue to share your thoughts with me on this important issue and know that I will keep them in mind as I consider a fair and balanced immigration policy.

If you have access to the Internet, I encourage you to frequently visit my web site, http://casey.senate.gov. In the months ahead, I will continue to develop the site in order to allow you to stay up-to-date on my work in Washington. If you wish to e-mail me, you can do so on the web site.

Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future about this or any other matter of importance to you.



Sincerely,
Bob Casey
United States Senator