DemocRAT Senator

[arrowsmith]

This is the first time I know that I agreed with her.

Dear Mr. Arrowsmith:

Thank you for contacting me regarding our nation’s immigration policy. I share your concerns.

We are a nation of immigrants, but we are also a nation founded upon the rule of law, and it is imperative that we respect both of these traditions. I support legal immigration. As a former prosecutor, I also believe we must begin our reform with enforcement of our current laws.

The recently passed Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill for 2008 demonstrates a serious effort to restore control of our borders. I supported this legislation to provide enough funds to hire, train, and deploy over 23,000 new border patrol guards and $1 billion for border fencing, ground-based radar and sensors, and unmanned aerial surveillance. As a member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, I will work to ensure that the Administration develops an effective plan to provide border security.

We also need to understand that the promise of employment serves as a magnet that attracts undocumented workers across our border. That is why it is so very important to prosecute employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers. It stands to reason that if U.S. employers were unwilling to hire undocumented workers, then they would be less likely to illegally cross our borders. I believe that any immigration legislation should include stronger employer sanctions, and that such sanctions should be aggressively enforced.

As you may know, the Senate tried twice to pass their comprehensive immigration legislation. Both attempts failed. However, I believe that if this Administration would make a real effort to protect our borders and enforce our current laws, we could significantly reduce the flow of undocumented workers into this country and more effectively address the undocumented workers living illegally within our borders.

Again, thank you for sharing your concerns with me. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any further assistance.

All best,
Senator Claire McCaskill