Immigration CIRA


A letter to me from my Senator probably in response to an E-mail

May 2, 2007

Dear Mr. ME:

Thank you for contacting me to share your concerns about immigration reform. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

Like you, I believe we need to reform U.S. immigration law and policy. If Congress is going to solve this problem and move beyond the failed strategies of the past, a new, broader framework is needed.  Critically the federal government must stop turning a blind eye to immigration law violations.

During the 109th Congress, the Senate passed the comprehensive immigration reform act (CIRA), S.2611, to fix America's broken immigration system. I voted for the bipartisan legislation because I believe it would finally committed the government to enforcing the nations immigration laws strictly and to securing our borders. This bill would have created a virtual wall long our border division hundreds miles fencing and physical barriers; dramatically increasing the number of border patrol and interior enforcement agents; and making it a crime to build, fund or use unlawful for holes; increasing penalties for evading immigration officers and smuggling. The bill would also gotten tough on employers to higher illegal immigrants and for tax American workers.

I voted for several amendments including intended to toughen CIRAup.  Among these provisions that would have

  1. delay the legalization program and tell the successful implementation of the bills border security provisions;
  2. require employers to take concrete steps to attract and higher American workers before hiring guest workers;
  3. in sure that guest workers wages do not diminish American workers' wages
  4. Prohibit aliens who have committed one felony or three misdemeanors from obtaining legal status
  5. constructing an additional 500 miles of fencing across the southern border

Because of the serious differences between the Senate bill and the immigration reform bill passed by the House of Representatives, the two competing bills were snt to a conference committee to work out the differences. However, the 109th Congress adjourned before passing a final conference report. Please be assured that as congress continues to look at immigration policy in the 110th Congress, I will will keep your views in mind.

And thank you again for keeping the appraised of issues that are imported you. If I can be of any further assistance to you on this or other issues, please do not hesitate to contact me.


Sincerely,
Ron Wyden