Getting the word out there....

[peejay 327]

My SO emailed his senator along these lines (re: it 'seems' like illegals get all the breaks as far as new reforms go and legals, who do everything the INS ask for, are checked and obey the law, don't)..he's at work tonite but no doubt he'll show you what the reply was when he gets back in another 10 hours time (12 hour shifts, gotta love em eh? *sigh*)

Dear Mr. Murphy:

Thank you for contacting my office regarding illegal immigration. I appreciate you taking the time to share your views with me.

Recently I joined 70 other members of the U.S. House of Representatives in sending a joint letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) outlining fundamental principles of immigration reform and expressing grave concerns about some of the Senate's proposals.

Illegal immigration threatens our national security and strains our healthcare facilities, schools and social services. In December the House passed H.R. 4437, which is a strong bill that increases border security and takes amnesty off the table. Now, it's time for the Senate to respond to the growing problem of illegal immigration and do what's best for the citizens of this country.

Along with a number of Members who supported H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005, we are concerned that some of the Senate Judiciary Committee's proposals are fundamentally incompatible with the House's actions and could doom any chance of a real reform bill reaching the President's desk this year. The letter to Senator Specter came on the same day that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) introduced an enforcement-only bill which will serve as a backstop in case the Judiciary Committee is unable to produce its own proposal that does not include amnesty.

While H.R. 4437 is an effective first step to eliminating the flow of illegal immigration and enforcing border security, I will continue to work to work with my colleagues to ensure that our citizens are protected and current laws are enforced. I do not support an amnesty of illegal aliens currently in the United States and believe that any amnesty would only reward criminal behavior and would encourage additional illegal immigration in the future.

Thank you again for contacting my office and expressing your concerns. It is an honor to serve as your United States Congressman. Your suggestions are always welcome, and if ever I may be of assistance, please do not hesitate to call me.

Sincerely,

Patrick McHenry

Member of Congress

Unfortunately it is not so much a problem with the US House of Representatives as it is with the US Senate. That is where these amnesty bills are eminating from. The House passed HR4437 and, as stated, it is very heavy on border security and enforcement. It contains no amnesties or huge increases of foreign workers.

It is the Senate, which is heavily in the pockets of corporate America, that insists that any immigration reform must include amnesty and huge increases of foreign workers. Some of the Senate bills tack on huge increases in immigration that would add up to 30 million immigrants over a 10 year period.

If they can't flood the labor market with illegal aliens they plan to do it with legal immigrants. It's all about $$$ and it doesn't benefit most Americans.

There should always be immigration to the USA, but I personally believe it should be in reasonable numbers that don't negatively impact the overall existing population. It has to benefit the many instead of the few. What I see in the Senate does not do that. There is also the political posturing in the Senate to see who can woo the 6% of the eligible voting population that is Hispanic.

The Senate Republicans are seeking cheap labor and the Senate Democrats are seeking cheap votes. None of this solves the problem or benefits most Americans.

I am not anti-immigrant. My grandparents were immigrants, my wife and stepdaughter are immigrants, and I have many friends that are immigrants of many races. That doesn't mean that I believe that anyone and everyone should be able to immigrate to America in unlimited numbers.

IMHO

[ChristinaM 0]

Nicely said, Peejay.