Statement

Tonight, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which oversees U.S. border and port security, hailed President Obama's call in tonight's State of the Union Address for Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform:

"I'm encouraged that President Obama tonight reaffirmed his commitment to working with Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform and again addressed the urgent need to fix our nation's flawed immigration system. It is well past time to overhaul our immigration laws to make them more effective, humane, and to improve our nation's economic competitiveness while safeguarding our security. I believe the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee can be a good partner in developing legislation in this area, particularly as we work to secure our borders and ports of entry in a cost effective and efficient manner. Just last month, a number of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle stood together and outlined a framework for comprehensive immigration reform. I stand ready to work with them, as well as my colleagues on my Committee, the Administration and stakeholders as this important process moves forward."