[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 28, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E693]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             WE NEED COMMON SENSE IMMIGRATION POLICY REFORM

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                         HON. RICHARD H. BAKER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 28, 2004

  Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, as Members of Congress, the most important 
duty that we have is to protect the safety and well-being of the 
American people. However, the grim reality is that our broken 
immigration system is preventing us from fulfilling this most important 
obligation. The increasing numbers of immigrants, both legal and 
illegal, threaten our national security and weigh down our already 
over-burdened economy. Every day, illegal immigrants cross our borders 
and take advantage of taxpayer funded benefits available to them in the 
U.S. We must act now and reform our immigration policy so that we may 
protect the safety and financial prosperity of our citizens.
  We know what the problem is, but how do we solve it? Amnesty is not 
the answer. Rewarding illegal immigrants with jobs and benefits at the 
expense of the American people is not the answer. Allowing more 
immigrants into America is not the answer. H.R. 775, which would end 
this harmful ``Visa Lottery'' program, is a solid first step in the 
right direction to limit the number of immigrants allowed to enter our 
country. Only through narrowing the stream of immigration can we begin 
to be able to take back control of our borders.
  One of the many lessons of September 11th is that we cannot be too 
careful when it comes to our national immigration policy. It was only 
after these horrific attacks that we learned that most of the 
terrorists should not have been admitted into our country in the first 
place. The first step in solving this crisis is simple: we must limit, 
not expand, the number of people allowed into this country and the SAFE 
Act does just this.

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