Smith: No Amnesty for Illegals

Statement

Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (TX-21), along with a group of his congressional colleagues, sent a letter to all Members of the Senate urging them to reject any bill that grants amnesty to illegal immigrants.

"We need border security, but we don't need amnesty to secure the border," stated Ranking Member Smith.

Senate leaders have made it clear they plan to bring "comprehensive" immigration reform legislation to the floor this month. News reports indicate the proposal could legalize most of the estimated 12 to 20 million illegal immigrants now in the United States.

The letter was signed by other high-ranking Republican committee leaders, including Homeland Security Ranking Member, Peter King (R-NY), Immigration Subcommittee Ranking Member Ranking Member, Steve King (R-IA), Immigration Reform Committee Chair Brian Bilbray (R-CA) and Terrorism Subcommittee Ranking Member Ed Royce (R-CA).

"There is a common sense definition of amnesty: it occurs when someone in the country illegally, instead of being deported, is rewarded by being legalized and allowed to stay," Smith explained.

Added Smith, "Just because someone is in the country illegally doesn't mean we have to give them citizenship, the greatest honor our country can bestow. Some want to sell citizenship to lawbreakers for the price of a fine."

Congressman Smith's letter contained clear message lawmakers in the Senate: the closer you move toward amnesty, the further away you move from the American public and your House colleagues.

"Amnesty puts lawbreakers ahead of those who are law abiding, puts foreign workers ahead of American workers, and encourages even more illegal immigration," concluded Smith. "Amnesty treats illegal immigrants better than those who play by the rules and come in the right way."

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