Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I might respond by noting that my colleague from Arizona likes to talk about exactly what would happen. When President Reagan did exactly that, and the promise was to secure the border with amnesty for 3 million illegal immigrants, the amnesty was granted, but the border was not secure. I know there is an argument on the other side that, well, if we secure the border, then some people will not want to do comprehensive reform because they would not have any incentive to do so anymore. I don't think that is right. I think there would be more of an incentive once we do secure the border. In any event, we certainly should not hold securing the border hostage to passing some law in the future. That is our obligation and the President's obligation irrespective of what other laws we pass. Mr. McCAIN. I ask the Senator from Texas this: There is another important point. There is the belief that we can't secure our borders, that there is just going to be an unending flow of illegal immigrants into this country. I ask my friend from Texas, isn't it true that in at least parts of Texas, with the combination of surveillance, fencing, and proper staffing, there has been basically a secure border?”