[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 42 (Wednesday, April 5, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H1459-H1460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              IMMIGRATION

  (Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, this past weekend, I met with 
many students from schools in our district and hope to meet with many 
more. This banner is signed by students from the Alta Charter School in 
our district. These students are voicing their concerns because they 
want to keep their families together and felt their heritage was not 
being respected.
  They are concerned about the possibility of their parents being 
deported, even though their children are citizens. They are worried 
about the possibility of them being deported, although this is the only 
life they have ever known.

[[Page H1460]]

  I believe we should improve border security, and every Nation in the 
world should control their borders and know who is crossing it, but I 
voted against H.R. 4437 because this bill doesn't realistically deal 
with the 10 to 12 million people who are living in this country.
  If this bill is enacted, 3 million U.S. citizens will be left without 
their parent or guardian. Family values should apply to our immigration 
laws. This is why we see students marching in our communities all 
across our country and why you see this banner on the floor of the 
House today.
  We need comprehensive, fair immigration reform that includes 
increased border security, more detention beds to prevent catch and 
release, requiring applicants to go through criminal background checks, 
to learn English and also pay a penalty. That way, we can make sure 
these people, these children who are here know that their parents won't 
need to be deported or they won't be.

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