Immersed in the routines of daily life, many people don’t make an extra effort to track legislation as it winds through Congress. It usually takes an issue that hits close to home before it motivates people to take notice.
Based upon town hall meetings I conducted across Iowa in February, Congress has touched an emotional chord among the electorate as debate turns in Washington to rework the nation’s immigration policy.
As a nation founded by newcomers, the United States for more than two centuries has served as a haven for those seeking refuge, adventure and opportunity to make a better life. It’s inspiring to consider the sacrifices made by those who came to pursue liberty, prosperity and happiness.
And whether one is a fourth-generation American or a newcomer to American soil, that welcoming promise of hope, freedom and opportunity continues to guide those who dare to dream big and work hard.
Generation after generation tirelessly pursues the American Dream. It’s become a timeless rite of passage in American society. Each succeeding generation hopes to enjoy an even higher standard of living than the one previous.
It’s not hard to understand why so many people wish to emigrate for America. But it is hard to empathize with those who thumb their noses at the rule of law. Estimates say more than 11 million undocumented immigrants already live in the country. They deliberately bypassed the proper channels and broke our laws to enter the country.
By all accounts, the U.S. immigration system is broken. It has created an inhumane system that finds smugglers trafficking human lives across our borders without regard to their survival. I won’t forget the deceased victims of a smuggling operation discovered a few years ago in a locked rail car in Denison.
Advocates on either side of the debate argue passionately to either restrict immigration or lift immigration restrictions entirely.
As a federal policymaker, I am obligated to consider the whole picture. As a matter of national security, I must consider the potential peril that has allowed 11 million people to illegally enter the country under the radar screen.
Whether foreigners come to study, visit family, vacation or work, we need a meaningful system in place that puts enforcement of the laws front and center and takes into consideration the burdens shouldered by law-abiding citizens and legal immigrants who play by the rules and pay taxes.
As a U.S. Senator, I took an oath of office to honor the Constitution. As a lawmaker in the people’s branch of the federal government, I bear a fundamental allegiance to uphold the rule of law. And that is why I cannot in good conscience support granting amnesty to undocumented immigrants who break our laws and work here illegally. It would be unfair to let 11 million illegal aliens off the hook when they have refused to follow our laws. Not only would it unleash an expensive bureaucratic nightmare, it would send the wrong message to millions more around the world. With a wink and a nod, Uncle Sam would turn America’s historic welcome mat into a doormat trampled upon by millions and millions of illegal immigrants.
As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I voted against the committee bill that would essentially grant amnesty to millions of undocumented workers and pave the way for their families to also apply for citizenship. A token $1,000 fine, a flimsy proposal to get more immigrants to pay taxes, and a watered down English-language requirement all fall short of what’s necessary to fix the problem. This proposal would actually turn the proverbial molehill into a mountain. And if you’ve ever wondered how fast a snowball could launch an avalanche, just consider the “future flow” of immigrants who would apply for a proposed guestworker program and eventual citizenship. The proposals are unrealistic and unfair.
As Congress debates the nation’s immigration laws, we must be realistic. As a senior member of the U.S. Senate, I will support reforms that enhance national security, respect the rule of law, reduce fraud and abuse, beef up not just border, but also interior enforcement resources, set up a mandatory employment verification system to help employers ensure they only hire legal workers, and strengthen legal immigration channels.
America’s heritage is shaped by a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit that is enhanced by the contributions of immigrants from long ago and those newly arrived. Let’s not allow America’s welcome mat to unravel under the pressure of an unsustainable immigration policy that would put our national security at risk, burden taxpayers, build resentment, strain health, education and other public service infrastructures, as well as drive down wages paid by employers in our local communities.