[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 168 (Thursday, December 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 BORDER PROTECTION, ANTITERRORISM, AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION CONTROL ACT 
                                OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 16, 2005

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4437) to 
     amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to strengthen 
     enforcement of the immigration laws, to enhance border 
     security, and for other purposes:

  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, I am disappointed that I must rise today in 
opposition to H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism and 
Illegal Immigration Control Act. I am enormously concerned with our 
Nation's lack of border security and the dysfunctional nature of our 
current immigration system. Our Nation's immigration laws are 
disrespected both by those who cross our borders illegally and by the 
businesses that hire those illegal immigrants. Unfortunately, the 
legislation we are considering today does little to realistically solve 
these problems. I'm saddened to say that it is based not on policy, but 
on politics.
  I support important amendments to this bill that will help secure our 
borders and cut down on illegal immigration. For instance, I support 
the amendment offered by Representative Hunter of California requiring 
the construction of reinforced fencing, along with lights, cameras and 
sensors, along high priority areas of the U.S.-Mexican border. 
Additionally, I support the amendment offered by Representative Norwood 
of Georgia that authorizes and empowers local law enforcement officials 
to help enforce immigration laws.
  However, this legislation addresses only half the problem our Nation 
currently faces. Nearly 11 million undocumented immigrants currently 
live within our borders. That's 11 million people living in the shadows 
whom we know next to nothing about. This legislation criminalizes these 
11 million people, pushing them further into the shadows, and does not 
consider the impact this will have on our legal system. For instance, 
this bill does not address the number of pro-bono, taxpayer funded 
attorneys these immigrants will need to fight their criminal charges in 
court nor does it address the hundreds of new prisons that would need 
to be built in order to house 11 million new criminal aliens.
  Ultimately, I support a comprehensive immigration policy that is good 
for families, national security and the economy. Comprehensive 
immigration legislation introduced by Senator John McCain of Arizona 
would substantially secure our Nation's borders. Beyond that, it would 
fine those immigrants already here illegally and punish employers that 
hire illegal immigrants. However, it would also give the 11 million 
undocumented immigrants in our country, along with others who are not 
yet in the U.S. but who hope to one day live and work here legally, a 
chance to earn legal status. After paying a fine, proving they have 
been employed in the United States and undergoing a background check, 
immigrants living here illegally prior to the enactment of the bill 
would be eligible to apply for a new, non-immigrant visa, and after six 
years given an option to apply for permanent residency. Additionally, 
an essential worker visa category, with market-based caps, would be 
established for new immigrants. These immigrants would be given the 
option to apply for permanent citizenship after four years.

  The McCain bill punishes illegal immigrants for breaking the law but 
also acknowledges that we cannot act as though we have solved our 
immigration problem by ignoring the 11 million illegal immigrants 
already living in our country. As my votes on the Hunter and Norwood 
amendments prove, I support strong enforcement of our immigration laws 
and measures to make our borders more secure. But I believe that the 
only way to fix our broken immigration system is to ensure that, beyond 
enforcement, we take a realistic approach and acknowledge the 
immigrants currently living within our borders and those that will 
likely wish to come in the future.




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