Hello All,
I am totally thrilled to have written,called, and blogged about the illegal marches in Wa State. Thanks for giving me the info to back up what I say. I am just entering the foray into illegal immigration, and it feels really good to know that there are others who feel the same way I have for many years. Here is a response from Norm Dicks (Wa State Rep)
"GOD BLESS YOU! GOD BLESS AMERICA!"


Thank you for contacting me to comment about current legislation to reform immigration law in the United States . I appreciate your interest in this important national issue.

Estimates show that about 12 million illegal immigrants currently reside in the United States . Although they vary widely on the number of illegal immigrants that enter the U.S. each year, the number is certainly at least several hundred thousand and could be more than a million. Whatever the exact numbers may be, there is clearly a problem that requires Congress's immediate attention.

I agree with most Americans - that immigration reform must begin with tightening our borders. In the last Congress, I supported legislation to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, which included several new provisions designed to address illegal immigration. The measure authorized the addition of 10,000 new federal agents on our border - including a minimum of 2,000 on the northern border - and at least 4,000 new law enforcement officers assigned to enforce immigration laws within the United States . The bill also directed an increase of 40,000 detention beds for captured illegal aliens.

Although this bill passed Congress overwhelmingly and was eagerly signed by the President, both have failed in subsequent years to meet the commitment, providing funding for only a fraction of the promised agents and detention space. And, rather than add personnel to the Northern border, President Bush actually diverted Northern border staff to other areas. Several times have I voted for amendments that would have fully funded these critical needs, but all attempts have been defeated by the House Republicans. In my judgment, the first step toward immigration reform must be providing the requisite funding for essential personnel, technology and facilities to control our borders.

Second, I believe that the Bush Administration must aggressively enforce existing laws against businesses that knowingly employ illegal aliens. I am deeply disappointed that the number of businesses charged by federal immigration enforcement officials with hiring illegal immigrants has fallen from well more than a hundred in 2000 to only 3 last year.

I believe that a strong majority of both parties in Congress and the country support these two basic pillars of immigration reform. Where people differ mainly is in how to treat the 12 million illegal aliens already residing in the US . Millions of them work, pay taxes, and have families with spouses and children that are American citizens.

If the nation truly commits to guarding the border to substantially reduce the inflow of illegal aliens and properly enforces the law on businesses that hire them, I believe the interests of the country are best served by developing criteria that allow immigrants that have not violated any criminal laws to gradually gain legal status and, eventually, citizenship. I do not believe it is a perfect solution, but I believe it is better and more feasible than trying to identify, capture, and deport 12 million people, splitting up the families of hundreds of thousands of American citizens in the process.

Prior to adjourning for the election, Congress did approve H.R. 6061, a bill to authorize the construction of border fencing and vehicle barriers on a small portion the southern border. H.R. 6061 was written entirely by the House Republican leadership, not made available to review by Democrats prior to floor consideration, and completely bypassed all committees with jurisdiction over the bill, including the House Homeland Security Committee, upon which I sit. Further, debate on the bill was severely limited and Republicans blocked consideration of any amendments. I support the use of fencing and vehicle barriers where appropriate on the southern border; however, I can not support a bill that is brought to the House floor under such circumstances.

Fortunately, the FY 2007 Homeland Security Appropriations bill contained legislative language and actual funding - $1.3 billion - to construct barriers and fencing that will functionally override H.R. 6061. This legislation followed the normal legislative process and was achieved through bipartisan deliberations between the House and Senate. I supported this bill, which was approved by Congress and subsequently signed by the President on October 4.

Many members of the other party are pretending that the addition of fencing and barriers along the southern border will solve the problem, and I am deeply concerned that the momentum for comprehensive immigration reform has been restrained by the passage of H.R. 6061. Please be assured that I will continue to work with my colleagues in the House during the 110th Congress for a more lasting legislative solution to this problem. In this regard, I will keep your comments in mind.