Issue Position: Homeland Security

Issue Position

Solutions to Secure Our Borders

Since September 11, 2001, the United States has enacted many reforms, at home and abroad, to secure our homeland, but unfortunately we've failed to meet the challenge in dealing with the illegal immigration crisis. There are estimated more than ten million illegal immigrants currently in the United States, many with criminal convictions that have received final deportation orders and we are unable to find them. While America's immigration system is badly in need of repair, I oppose any reforms that disregard our current immigration laws or grant amnesty to individuals who've illegally entered the United States. I support reforms to fix a broken system by strengthening our borders and providing more resources, technology and training to the Department of Homeland Security and the Border Patrol to keep illegal immigrants out of our country.

Illegal immigration impacts all of the government services that our tax dollars provide - from our health care system to our schools. I welcome the benefits that legal immigrants bring to the United States, but we have an obligation to protect our borders and ensure the safety of our citizens. We must deport illegal immigrants who are criminals, restrict government benefits for illegal aliens and substantially increase the penalties for committing document and benefit fraud.

The surest way to slow down the tide of illegal entry to our country is to get serious about defending our borders with a strong presence and, just as importantly, enforce the laws already on the books.

While in the Georgia House, I served on the Conference Committee that drafted the final language to what is now known as the strongest illegal immigration legislation in the Nation... and I'll do it again when in Washington.

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