Issue Position: Securing Our Borders & Addressing Illegal Immigration

Issue Position

Issue Position: Securing Our Borders & Addressing Illegal Immigration

I believe that we must take action to prevent those who seek to exploit the freedoms of our country by entering illegally. I am proud to have a strong record of supporting efforts to secure our borders and reduce illegal immigration to protect our national security and economic stability. Cooperation on enforcing immigration law between local and federal law enforcement to secure our borders is critical. We already have immigration laws on the books; Congress needs to give law enforcement the tools to enforce them. Congress should also force the construction of a fence on our southern border. Congress should fight against any attempts to provide illegal immigrants benefits that are paid for with American tax dollars, should declare English as our nation's official language, and end the abused practice of birthright citizenship.

As a member of the Immigration Reform Caucus, I support the construction of a fence on our southern border and believe that until we secure the border and effectively enforce the immigration laws on the books, illegal immigration will continue. I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 4987, the Fence By Date Certain Act.

During the 109th Congress, I voted for the Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 which gave authority to State and local law enforcement to assist in the enforcement of immigration laws, to provide for effective prosecution of alien smugglers, and to reform immigration litigation procedures. I am a cosponsor of the CLEAR Act and support the SAVE Act which will also increase the size of the Border Patrol. We must also allow our Border Patrol Agents to do their jobs, which is why I have signed onto legislation and letters to the President calling on a pardon for imprisoned Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean.

Since coming to Congress, I have supported legislation to declare English as our nation's official language and to end the abused practice of birthright citizenship.

I believe that blanket amnesty is not the answer. Amnesty rewards illegal behavior and passes on huge public costs to the American people. Instead, Congress should work to improve and enforce existing immigrant programs, such as the H-2B Visa and other guest worker programs that fight illegal immigration.

I have also supported efforts to provide businesses with the ability to verify employees' legal status. The E-Verify program helps tens of thousands of companies insure the employment eligibility of newly hired employees. I have been a consistent supporter of legislation to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining driver's licenses or using non-US issued ID for financial purposes.

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