In today’s N&R, Sen. Elizabeth Dole says the Senate immigration bill is not the answer:
In 1986, when Congress passed an immigration bill, an estimated three million illegal aliens residing in the United States were granted amnesty. At that time, promises to secure our borders and enforce our laws were made…but not kept. Today, an estimated 12 million to 20 million illegal aliens live in the United States. The U.S. Senate now has an opportunity truly to address the past failures that have put us in the current crisis. Unfortunately, the Senate immigration bill again puts the cart before the horse.
This bill rushes to legalize millions of illegal aliens, which is not the urgent matter at hand. We must first focus on securing our borders and enforcing our laws. I have heard from thousands of North Carolinians who ask me what is being done to address these pressing needs and to make our communities safer. Understandably, folks have no confidence that this is occurring.
Consider last year’s authorization of 700 miles of border fencing — astoundingly, just two miles have been constructed! And, the catch-and-release of aliens who are committing crimes, such as drunk driving, has become commonplace.
