Just another sitting-on-the-fence and unacceptable form letter!

I OCR Scanned it and tried to clean all the errors up. If I hand not marked all over it, it would have been a cake walk. If you read something weird, I will go back to the original and clarify it for you.

She is still selling a comprehensive plan and making excuses. However, I've never seen this before in her letters. She sounds a little defensive with he "I" statements. I've flat out told her that I will not vote for her, if she does anything to benefit or encourage illegal immigration. I meant what I said.

Dixie
~~~~~~~~~~~~

KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON
TEXAS

X, Texas

Dear X:

Thank you for contacting me regarding illegal immigration in the United States. I welcome your thoughts and comments on this issue.

Congress substantially revised our nation's immigration laws in 1996, including the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, expanding the Border Patrol, imposing significant penalties on immigrant smugglers, and establishing expedited deportation procedures. In the wake of the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, we have been forced to reexamine our immigration laws and policies in order to eliminate vulnerabilities in our national security while continuing to meet the intent of the Constitution and the demands of international commerce.

Since 2001, Congress has addressed many immigration and border security concerns in the USA PATRIOT Act, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, and the REAL ID Act of 2005. Key provisions have included a systematic plan to monitor the southern border with unmanned aerial vehicles, authorization for an increase in the number of personnel devoted to enforcing immigration laws, and requirements that all applicants for state-issued identification and driver’s licenses prove their lawful presence in the United States.

In October 2005, I introduced S. 1823, the Illegal Immigration Enforcement and Empowerment Act, which would grant state and local officials expanded authority to arrest, detain and prosecute illegal aliens. The legislation would also create a Volunteer Border Marshal Program. In addition, I met with US. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to discuss broad immigration reform measures and the new provisions outlined in my bill. I also led Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) on a tour along the US.-Mexico border in the Rio Grande Valley to highlight the need for more agents, technology and funding to secure our borders. As a member of the' Senate Appropriations Committee, I have worked hard to secure. More than $322 million in additional appropriations over the past year for border security, Including funding for 1,500 new Border Patrol agents, 50 US. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigators, 168 detention officers, and almost 2,000 detention beds. Yet, more needs to be done.

The United States has one of the most open immigration policies in the world, and I am Aware of the Important contributions our immigrants make to our nation. Temporary work visas play an important role in ensuring US companies have the workers they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. However, U.S. immigration policy must ensure

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American workers have every opportunity to compete for available jobs. In the areas of our economy where voids of talent and skills exist, we need to invest the resources necessary to fill those gaps. For example, I believe we need to increase our country's skills in the areas of math and science, and I recently cosponsored an amendment to the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2006, to assist in this effort by increasing our funding for Advanced Placement courses.

I do support the development of a guest worker program which would allow foreign nationals to work in the United States on a seasonal or temporary visas in industries where labor is in critical demand. However, I believe that granting legal status to those who entered our country illegally would only encourage others to break our laws in the future.

While Congress addresses problems with our current US immigration policy, we must maintain the security of our nation. During the 109th Congress, you may certain I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure comprehensive immigration reform remains a top priority.

I appreciate hearing from you and hope you will not hesitate to keep in touch on any issue of concern to you.

Sincerely,
Kay Bailey Hutchison