Issue Position: Immigration

I share the frustration of millions of Americans, particularly those in Border States, that Congress seems paralyzed and unable to secure our borders and fix our broken immigration system. Our borders must be secure. Any illegal immigration reform must begin with securing the border. You cannot adequately address flooding until the water flow causing it is cut off. Securing the border will help reduce the financial costs borne by all taxpayers from illegal immigrants benefiting from government services--particularly in areas of education and health care. In addition to the financial burden, the effects on crime and safety must also be considered when data shows a strong correlation between illegal immigration and crime rates.

A focus must be on stopping smuggling and trafficking of drugs, weapons and people. Furthermore, border security is a crucial national security issue. We live in a day and age where terrorists want nothing more than to kill us and destroy our way of life. At the very least, they should not be able to do this by walking across an unsecure border.

In addition to securing the border, we must make sure jobs in our country go to those who are here legally, whether they be citizens or legal residents. While I certainly can't blame someone for wanting to move to the greatest country on earth in order to create a better life for themselves, they need to do so the proper and legal way, even if it proves more challenging. If the migration process itself needs improvement, that's a legitimate but separate issue. Personally, I have found that many of those most frustrated with illegal immigration are my immigrant friends--those who came to this country legally. They want to know why those who come here illegally should get special treatment compared to those who migrated here according to the law. It is neither right nor fair to reward those who break the law.

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