Jim Costa: “I am opposed to the rule and I am opposed to this legislation. I do not think any of the Members here disagree that…”

“I am opposed to the rule and I am opposed to this legislation. I do not think any of the Members here disagree that strong and safe borders are vital and important to the security of our country. Throughout my career, I have consistently supported strengthening our borders. And while the Sensenbrenner bill does address part of our problems, it is not the comprehensive solution we must have. It does not solve or even acknowledge the problems of illegal immigrants. Therefore, this bill is half a loaf at best. We can secure our borders and keep out illegal immigrants, and we should. But what about the 11 million-plus people here illegally who are, by and large, law-abiding members of our community? What about the 11 million-plus people who keep the hotels, restaurants, and construction sites and farms running in every State of this Union? This bill is no solution for them and it is no solution for our country. Denial is more than a river in Egypt, it is alive and well here in the House of Representatives in the form of H.R. 4437. If we continue to delay facing the reality of this challenge, the reality of the importance of immigrants who are not here legally to our economy, then I urge those of you who decide to vote for this measure to be prepared to face the wrath of business people in your towns and cities throughout this country. They will want to know why you voted to place the financial liability of document verification on them.…”