In response to several letters he has written on various immigration matters, one of our members received the following letter from Congressman Mark Kirk (R-IL). Kirk’s stand is encouraging.

Dear ____________,

Knowing of your strong interest in border security and stopping illegal immigration, I am writing to update you on the immigration debate in Congress. 

I oppose amnesty for illegal aliens, and the Senate bill to grant such an amnesty.

The “Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act” (CIRA) of 2007 was introduced on May 9, 2007 by Senator Harry Reid (D-NV). The bill would have granted amnesty to 12 million illegal aliens in the form of a new “Z” visa. Illegal immigrants would pay no back taxes for the time they worked illegally in the United States. Most illegal immigrants would be free to stay in the U.S. and continue working without first going home. “Chain migration” — granting preference for the entry of family members of illegal aliens would increase fourfold over the next two decades.

The bill would have set new border security requirements that contradict and undermine current law. For example, the legislation would grant amnesty to most illegal immigrants upon completion of a 370-mile border fence. However, the previous Border Security Law enacted during the last Congress requires at least 850 miles of fence construction.

The Senate bill also fails to address other national security concerns. Illegal immigrants who receive “probationary” status must consent to a background check, but that check must be finished in one day. If it is not finished, the Department of Homeland Security must give the illegal immigrant probationary status anyway.

I am strongly opposed to this plan and will continue to oppose blanked amnesty for illegal immigrants. For now, it looks like the Senate proposal is dead—I hope it stays that way. In the meantime, I will continue to support legislation to increase our border security.

Border security must remain our top priority. Last year, FBI Director Robert Mueller announced the arrest of a Mexican smuggling ring organized by the Hezbollah terrorist organization. Hezbollah is responsible for the murder of 258 American citizens—and their presence in Central and South America is growing.

The Congress should focus on the implementation of the Fiscal Year 207 Homeland Security Appropriations Act (P.L 109-295), which provided $1.2 billion for the installation of fencing, infrastructure, and technology along the border. On June 14, 2007, I voted for an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2008 Homeland Security Appropriations Act that would fully-fund the southern border fence. Unfortunately, the amendment failed by a vote of 200-217. In my view, failure to implement this security upgrade demonstrates a lack of commitment to the safety of the American people.

Our commitment to border security must include a commitment to the men and women who bravely sacrifice to keep our borders secure. On February 17, 2005, Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean chased a van loaded with marijuana to a ditch near the U.S.-Mexico border. The van’s driver, a Mexican drug smuggler named Osvaldo Aldrete Davila, abandoned his vehicle and ran toward Mexico. During the altercation, our border agents shot at the Mexican drug smuggler and hit him once.

Amazingly, our border agents—Ramos and Compean—were arrested, charged, convicted and sentenced to 12 years in federal prison. The U.S. government gave immunity to the drug smuggler and paid for his medical treatment in an El Paso hospital.

I am a cosponsor of two pieces of legislation, H.R. 563 and H.Con.Res. 37, calling for the immediate pardons for Agents Ramos and Compean. In addition, on July 25, 2007, I supported an amendment to the FY 2008 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act prohibiting the use of funds to enforce the judgment against our border agents. The amendment passed by voice vote.

As always, I welcome your thoughts and opinions on critical issues relating to immigration and border security. Please feel free to visit my website www.house.gov/kirk, or contact me again should other issues of concern to you come before the Congress

Sincerely,
Mark Kirk
Member of Congress

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