Immigration Reform Must Move Forward by U.S. Representative Barbara Cubin
Protest marches by hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants and their supporters this past weekend in Los Angeles must not sway us from the tough immigration and border security reform measures approved in the U.S. House.
Simply put, the protestors are seeking to politically pressure and intimidate Congress to both ignore and liberalize America's immigration laws.
But we must not disregard our present laws, dilute our future laws, or turn the honor of American citizenship into simply a geographical happenstance.
Last December, the Republican-led U.S. House passed comprehensive immigration reform that will build more border fences, enhance penalties for human traffickers, crack down on employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens, and provide law enforcement officials at all levels tools they need to detain and deport illegal aliens.
There is no doubt that Wyoming and America needs foreign workers when no Americans are available to do the job. Many Wyoming employers rely on temporary, seasonal workers. I have and will continue to work to pass legislation that will ensure this workforce is available via legal means.
Illegal immigration, on the other hand, tears at the fabric of our nation and costs taxpayers billions. The massive government spending devoted to providing health care, education and social welfare benefits to illegal aliens is a burden and insult to hardworking taxpayers, particularly those who have legally immigrated to America.
Comprehensive reform to clean up our immigration system will take time, but the time to start enforcing the law and securing our borders is now.
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/wy00_cubin/ImmigrationcolumnMarch202006.html