3/29/2006

WASHINGTON - Saying the House of Representative's approach to immigration reform was the correct approach, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today went to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to call on the U.S. Senate to pass immigration reform legislation that is centered on strong enforcement of our immigration laws and increased border security.

The Senate is scheduled to begin debate today on legislation that would reform our nation's immigration policy.  Today's action in the Senate comes on the heels of immigration legislation passed late last year in the House.  That bill, H.R. 4437, takes a strong "enforcement first" approach to dealing with the problem of illegal immigration by focusing first on stronger enforcement of our immigration laws and increased security at our borders. 

The full text of Rep. Capito's floor speech is listed below:

Mr. Speaker, today our colleagues in the Senate begin hearings on immigration legislation.

I rise to urge our colleagues in the other chamber to follow the House's lead by passing legislation that focuses first and foremost on securing our broken border enforcement system.

Porous borders and the illegal immigration caused by them are a threat not only to our national security, but our economic security as well.  The federal government -more specifically, this Congress - has a duty to do everything we can to secure our borders.

Enforcement first legislation passed by the House last year was the right approach, and it was a good first step towards gaining back control of our borders. 

Once we have effectively secured our borders, then and only then should we focus on the other consequences of illegal immigration. 

Mr. Speaker, we are a nation of immigrants. Our nation's greatness is largely built on the hopes and dreams of those who have come here from another country. 

I understand that. 

But above all, we are a nation built on the rule of law.  As a nation - and as a Congress - our duty is to enforce those laws and secure our borders. 

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