Rep. Phil Gingrey Responds To My Letter
Last week, I sent a letter to my Congressman, Phil Gingrey, to let him know my opinion of the Senate Amnesty Bill, and to gauge his position.
I received this reponse from him this afternoon:
Thank you for expressing you concerns about the recent immigration “deal” struck by certain members of the Senate and the ongoing debate over immigration reform. I appreciate learning of your concerns and having the opportunity to respond.
The National Census Bureau released its 2006 population estimate indicating that at least 795,419 illegal immigrants reside in the state of Georgia. Without proper border control, illegal immigration has transformed from a minor issue to a national crisis with emotions running high on both sides. During my travels through Georgia’s 11th Congressional District, the issue I constantly hear about is immigration reform. Last year alone, my office received almost 3,000 letters in support of securing our borders and removing illegal immigrants, making immigration reform the top issue of 2006. I believe it is important to maintain a compassionate policy of immigration and assimilation without rewarding individuals who break our laws and abuse our system of government.
As the author of the Voter Verification Act, the Nuclear Family Priority Act, the Secure Entry Act, and as an executive board member of the Immigration Reform Caucus, I support legislation that will secure our borders and discourage illegal immigration. After first-hand experience inspecting the border last August, I believe our government and elected officials can achieve a secure border and can control who enters our country by investing in infrastructure and manpower. Our ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and border patrol agents are addressing this immigration crisis with new optimism and determination because our government finally has their attention. It is the responsibility of Congress to meet their needs and pass real immigration reform.
Last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid introduced and opened debate on S.1348 as a “comprehensive” solution to the immigration problem. However, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 actually weakens our laws by granting amnesty to illegal immigrants and calling it a Z-visa. This legislation is the same legislation passed by the Senate in 2005 with the addition of a substitute amendment representing the “deal” stuck by Senators Kennedy and McCain. Under this legislation, every illegal alien that can produce marginally plausible evidence that he or she has been in the United States since January 1, 2007, could be put on a path to U.S. citizenship. The already overburdened U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) would then be responsible for ensuring that applicants meet criteria and issue temporary visas and work permits to illegal aliens. After the aliens have been registered under temporary status for eight years, the USCIS would issue green cards to those who pay a small fee and demonstrate marginal English skills.
Furthermore, this legislation also: includes the AgJOBS amnesty for those claiming to have performed agricultural work in the United States; the Dream Act which allows illegals to use federal Pell and Perkins grants for education; makes English the common and unifying language of the United States instead of the official legal language; has no language to hire additional ICE agents for interior enforcement; does not address sanctuary cities; and clears out a backlog of legal immigrants waiting to enter the United States at a rate of 440,000 people a year. Finally, this legislation would create a North American Security Perimeter that would establish Mexico as the only line of defense against future illegal immigration.
With that said, I do not believe amnesty is a solution for illegal immigration because it avoids the real problem of border security. Amnesty only encourages more illegal immigration because it proves to illegal aliens that if they can stay here long enough, they will become legal citizens by default.
While I share your frustration, the Democratic Party was elected to a majority in the 110th Congress during the November 7, 2006 election. As a result, they will control the legislative agenda of Congress, including immigration reform. Needless to say, immigration reform in the 110th Congress will look more like the Senate version of immigration reform and less like the House version passed in the 109th Congress. I still believe; however, the people of the United States want tighter borders and less illegal immigration. Rest assured, despite Democratic control of the 110th Congress, my resolve has not changed and I will continue to press for immigration reform until our borders are secure.
At least one of my elected officials still has his head screwed on tight. Thanks for the response Rep. Gingrey. I appreciate it.
[...] Phil Gingrey Wednesday, June 06 2007 @ 04:37 EDT Contributed by: BloodSpite Views: 0 Slobokan of Slobokan’s Schtuff (and a visitor to the Techography Chat last night) got a response from Georgia Congressman Phil Gingrey in Reference to Slobokan’s stance and E-mails regarding the Immigration Shamenesty Bill. An excerpt: The National Census Bureau released its 2006 population estimate indicating that at least 795,419 illegal immigrants reside in the state of Georgia. Without proper border control, illegal immigration has transformed from a minor issue to a national crisis with emotions running high on both sides. During my travels through Georgia’s 11th Congressional District, the issue I constantly hear about is immigration reform. Last year alone, my office received almost 3,000 letters in support of securing our borders and removing illegal immigrants, making immigration reform the top issue of 2006. I believe it is important to maintain a compassionate policy of immigration and assimilation without rewarding individuals who break our laws and abuse our system of government. Emphasis above is mine. Be sure to check Slo’s site for the whole letter!!! [...]