[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 10282]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

  (Mr. BAKER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. BAKER. Madam Speaker, in 1986 the United States Congress passed 
an Immigration Reform Act. As a result, 2.7 million illegal immigrants 
were given amnesty. That translated immediately into 2.7 million 
reasons why anyone who wishes to come here should come here illegally.
  Last week, in the storm-ravaged Katrina area, 88 illegal immigrants 
were arrested, 13 of whom had criminal felony convictions.
  This is no longer just a minor problem. It is a taxpayer tragedy. 
Limited taxpayer resources are being stretched to meet the repair and 
rebuilding needs of the Katrina/Rita areas. To have those resources 
dissipated for those who ignore our law and come here illegally is not 
only a disservice to the American taxpayer, but to all the immigrants 
who play by the rules, who abide by American law and come here through 
the normal immigration process. It is time for this to come to an end. 
It is no longer an inconvenience. It is a tragedy.

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