There is no
question that the United States must do a better job of
enforcing our immigration laws and securing our borders.
There are approximately 12 million undocumented aliens
living in this country that, under our current system,
we cannot effectively monitor. Illegal immigration is a
security threat; we must know who is crossing our
borders and living and working in our country. The
United States needs comprehensive reform that is both
smart and tough to fix our immigration system.
The Senate Judiciary
Committee has approved a bipartisan, comprehensive
immigration reform bill. The bill is strong on
enforcement and in some ways
is
stronger than the immigration
bill passed by the House. It is tough on employer enforcement
and tough on traffickers, and it includes a key provision that
will make tunneling under our borders a federal crime. The
Committee bill adds new criminal penalties for evading
immigration officers and it adds 12,000 new Border Patrol Agents
over the next five years.
Two issues of concern to
many Vermonters are enforcement along the northern
border, and seasonal guest worker programs. Vermont has
long enjoyed a friendly border with our neighbors in
Canada. Senator Leahy worked to stop efforts in
the past to construct
a fence, or barrier, along our northern border.
Vermonters, including Senator Leahy,
enjoy close, family relationships with our neighbors in
the north, and business with Canada accounts for a
significant contribution to our state's economy.
Addressing border security in the north in the same
manner we deal with it in the south is both shortsighted
and inappropriate.
Vermont's resort, ski and
lodging industry, as well as the agriculture industry
across the country, also rely on seasonal workers to
successfully operate Vermont businesses. Senator
Leahy has
supported past efforts to raise the cap on visas given
to guest workers.
Senator Leahy has supported provisions
that respect work and human dignity, while
confronting the problem of 12 million undocumented
immigrants who live in this country. Undocumented
immigrants already in the country should not get to cut
to the front of the line, but, should pay fines, pay
back taxes, work hard, and wait in line for green
cards.
Resources from the Congressional Research Service:
click here