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John McCain: On immigration, Washington is failing the American people

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By SEN. JOHN MCCAIN

Tuesday, Mar. 6, 2007

AMONG THE federal government's most important obligations is to secure America's borders and enforce sensible immigration laws that will keep our nation strong and safe. For far too long, Washington has failed miserably in this vital responsibility. An estimated 12 million people live in the United States illegally -- a problem affecting every state in the union.

Coming from a border state, I have seen firsthand the effect that illegal immigration has on our communities and public services, the rampant exploitation of those who traffic in illegal aliens, and the tragic loss of life that so often attends this enduring problem. As a country devoted to the rule of law, fairness and opportunity, the status quo is simply unacceptable. We know that most illegal aliens are drawn to the United States in the hope of finding a better life for themselves and their families. Many of our own ancestors came for the very same reason. But we also know that others come to do America harm and will exploit any weakness or loophole to achieve their malignant objectives.

The truth is that our nation's porous borders and failed immigration policies are a national disgrace, adversely affecting both our economic prospects and national security. A comprehensive immigration control plan that works is long overdue.

To achieve our objectives, America needs the strong reform I've proposed that will:

  • Vastly improve our border surveillance and enforcement capabilities;

  • Increase the manpower, infrastructure and capabilities necessary to block, apprehend, detain and return those who try to enter the country illegally;

  • Strengthen the laws and penalties against those who hire illegal aliens and violate immigration law;

  • Achieve and maintain the integrity of official documents to stop fraud, verify immigration status and employment, and enforce immigration law;

  • Encourage immigrants to come out of the shadows so we know who is in this country and develop a sensible guest worker program that will serve the nation's best economic and security interests.

We must devote the resources necessary to do the job right, and our efforts must be sustained. Imagine what we could achieve if we spent less money on pork barrel schemes such as "bridges to nowhere" and more on enforcing our immigration laws and other homeland security imperatives.

The need to bring illegal immigrants out of hiding and end the defacto amnesty that is the status quo is more important than ever in this post-9/11 era of terrorist threat. But this effort must never entail giving away citizenship to those who have broken our laws. Rather it should require those who voluntarily come forward to undertake the hard work of reparation and assimilation that we expect.

Legitimate status must be earned by paying stiff fines and back taxes, undergoing criminal and security checks, passing English and civics tests, remaining employed for six years before going to the back of the line to achieve legal permanent residence status, and adhering to other strict requirements.

Such a program is necessary if we are to protect our country from terrorism and crime by enabling the Department of Homeland Security and law enforcement to focus their resources more effectively where they are most needed, and that is on those who choose to remain hidden because they mean to do us harm.

Above all we must be honest and realistic if we are to achieve both the economic and national security we desire. The straight talk of the matter is that as long as there are jobs in the United States that would otherwise go unfilled, illegal immigrants will come, and the economy will eagerly absorb them, no matter what the obstacles. We are willfully abetting a system that is broken and invites the violation of our immigration laws, the manipulation of vulnerable populations and a degradation of national security.

Rather than tolerating the continued chaos promised by business as usual, we need an orderly system that matches jobs that would otherwise go wanting with a well managed guest worker program that ensures we know exactly who our guests are, why they are here, and for how long. Border security and immigration reform must go hand- in -hand. History has shown us that one will simply never succeed without the other.

I truly believe that Americans want and demand that our leaders work together to solve pressing problems rather than persist in empty rhetoric and petty political gamesmanship. By staying true to our principles, exercising common sense and American resolve, we are up to the job of controlling our borders, keeping our economy on the rise, and making the nation safe in an exceedingly dangerous world.

Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, is running for the Republican presidential nomination.

YOUR COMMENTS

Keep it short Fine: promise to shut the border down as soon as in office or you don't get my vote.
- steve roberts, myrtle beach SC

I disagree that the immigrants are taking jobs that no one else wants to do. A man in the tile buisness said he was worried about his career. It has slowed down because no one wants to pay him what he's worth and used to making. They would rather pay the illigals and save money. Yes I blame the citizens that are paying them and beleive they should be punished but that does no change the fact that it is happening. My husband is a self employed flooring installer and I also worry about the security of his job. So, they don't only take the jobs that no one wants
- Julie, Birmingham, Alabama

Mr. John Mc Cain,
Me as a legal resident of the United States born in Mexico understand the point of view of immigrant people that are here to offer a better opportunity to their families. I had the chance to become a US resident by my father that worked here in the 1980's and become a US resident by the admisty and then become US citizen in 2003.However, out there are far more people that are here for the same reason yet they do not have the same privilege that I had by been the son of a naturalized US citizen. I have the hope of your kindness to offer a comprehensive path to legalization for those that really diserves it. Of course that a percentage of latin or hispanic people commit crimes, and I ask the people of the United States not to generalize our hispanics people because of those that commit crimes since we know that also there is people that are born US citizens that commit crimes. What I am trying to say is that, we as hispanics and not mexicans as people generalize are hard working people and not all hispanics commit crime. We the people of hope are willing to become legal US residents or citizens because our cause is to offer opportunity to our families and to America.
- Miguel A. Rubio, Phoenix, AZ

I want to trust that John McCain will secure our borders, but also, take away all the "free medical, welfare, and schooling that is given over-abundantly to the illegals or temperary workers. I have encountered many, when living in other areas of our country, that state how they send their earned income home to Mexico as they live on our welfare system for their food, rent, and medical.
This is not right, in my opinion. This is adding immense costs to the tax-payers. This would cut our debt issues and help our economy immensely, if they would stop the free entitlements that were created for "our own legal, poor citizens."
- Jacalyn Noice, ID

I am engaged to an illegal immigrant. We cannot travel, buy a house, and have children until we know what his status can be here. Marrying him will not help, he will still be deported if we try to file him “legally” and he cannot return for 10 years. He wants to drive legally, pay taxes, start a business and buy a home and contribute to society. However right now he cannot. Although he did do wrong by coming here, he did when he was 18 to make a better life for him and his family back home. It is too much to expect them all to leave and I personally don’t want my money going toward kicking 12 million out. Some type of amnesty must be done, even if just for families of illegal’s…it is ignorant white collared people who don’t have to associate with middle class who wants them all gone…people in every day working communities know how much we depend on them. And there are plenty of US citizens out there who want to start lives with them.
- Kerri, MA

The downfall of America is happening right before our eyes with the many intitlements that are given to illegals. Hospitals, schools etc. are falling apart due to their demands on them. Our own children born, raised with a long line of citizens in their past are not able to afford higher education while the illegals get it free for the taking..Our own citizens cannot get affordable health care and yet they get it with no problems. I am confused how this all came about and wish somebody, any candidate, I've asked them all, could explain this to me.
- Ann Smith, Big Lake, Alaska

i think that the illegal immigrants who are here should be given a chance even though they did wrong in coming here illegally-but hey- it's hard to get here legally and there are people who have applied for citizenship 10 years ago and still don't have papers. i think they should have their background checked and if they're ok give them a chance. i love america cause i'm an american but my family's all mexican so i also love my mexican people. lets give them a chance.
- mari, pensacola

I became a citizen not too long ago and I can tell you that most immigrants are not lloking for a way to easily get through life. All they want is to have a fair shot at contributing to American society. Not many know but illegals as well as legals are capable of paying taxes and most of them do (this includes income-taxes, property taxes and purchasing taxes). Please, lets stick to the fact and stop saying that they are here to take our resources for free. They work as hard if not harder than we do. They do NOT want a free ride. Let them earn it, most of them will be glad to so.
- Raul Garcia, Villanova, PA

The question of what should be done about the illegals, not just from Mexico but from other countries as well, needs to go on a ballot for the American citizens to vote on it. This country belongs to US not to the government. We the people should make this decision not the president or Congress.
- Darleen R. Nichols, Warsaw, Virginia

I would very much like to vote for John McCain but am worried about amnesty for all the illegal immigrants. That is absolutely wrong.
I pretty much agree with the other issues of his campaign but this one scares me and up to now am still undecided about my vote.
- Donald Charest, Williston, Vermont

Mr. MCcain, I'am a Mexican American who has the right to vote. I really like the way you understand why my people are here. I do agree, people should be here legally, but when there isn't any money or jobs in poor country what should they do? Should they stay and starve? We are human too! I know that you will make the right decisions for the immigrants of this country.
- Carmela Torres, OK, Madill

I still do not trust Mc Cain, he is still touting amnesty. Corp. Amer. and special interest groups still have him in their pocket while the Amer. taxpayer is to pay for their great deal. Self deportation is a great ideal but that will not help Corp. Amer. nor stop criminal gangs or smugglers, enough is enough!
Linda
- Linda Huggins, Crestview, Fl.

Mr. McCain, I am a small buisness owner and I am concerned with current and possibly new tax laws. In 2006 I started my own business. I am disappointed in my government simply because I do not receive the tax breaks that an immigrant would. It has been just as difficult for me having only a high school education. I have great respect and admiration for your sacrifice for our country. Thank you for your service. I think that all candidates should have military service time under their belt. Respectfully, Frankie Coleman
- Frankie Coleman, SUMMERFIELD FL

never forget mccain and the dems tried to pull a fast one, voting for cloture on a friday, to pass the law over the weekend before america knew what hit it. Mcain knows full well the supreme court would throw out every single provision of the patch to citizenship. Are we to believe that we can register the illegals, pay for their healthcare and the 70 welfare programs they's be eligible for, and pay for their social security; yet we couldnt possibly deport them?
- george mccormick, seekonk mass

Shut down the border, upgrade security. We must first stop illegal entry and then acknowledge those individuals who currently reside in the United States illegally. It is unrealistic to say "deport them all." No, the necessary and civil approach is to deport those illegal aliens who have criminal records and are abusing the freedom the United States offers. Those who are working hard and are willing to learn English and the history of the United States should be given the opportunity to stay. They should not be granted automatic citizenship, if they are serious about staying in the United States, they must work for it. In no way is entering the United States illegally the right thing to do. But, what's done is done and those individuals working hard for their families and for this country should be given the choice to stay.
- Carolyn, Birdsboro, PA

Every male cittizen of the U S has been required under penalty of law to register for the draft since 1871. In fact my father registered for WW1 and WW2. Yet we have all these illegals who apparently have not registered for anything and flout our laws. Not fair. Get them registered pronto to be absolutely identifiable so we can find how many are really here and where they are. No one knows whether there are 12 million or 20 or how many. We must have that info now so how can we consider the magnitude of the problem in order to formulate intelligent solutions. Those failing to register will be subject to immediate deportation with assurance of heavy criminal penalties if they ever come back...even to visit.
- Max Trout, Campobello SC

Secure the border, enforce the laws already on the books, and build the fence. When you prove to the American people this has happened, then the other particulars about Amnesty can be debated. Let the American people have a say in this important legislation.
- Carolyn Bridgeman, Inman

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