Norma Torres: “I rise to voice my strong opposition to this so-called immigration reform bill. There must be some confusion over what…”

“I rise to voice my strong opposition to this so-called immigration reform bill. There must be some confusion over what immigration actually means, over what immigration actually is. The dictionary defines immigration as ``coming into a country of which one is not a native resident.'' Basic logic tells us that any attempt to reform immigration should address those issues that directly relate to immigration: strict border control, effective verification of citizenship, and penalizing those businesses and industries who knowingly employ undocumented immigrants. Most Americans would agree with those goals. But this bill goes way beyond these sensible, logical goals. Instead, it attacks the very principles upon which this country was founded. America's Founding Fathers built this country on the principles of fairness and equality, on honoring the law and creating safeguards against any kind of discrimination. Throughout history, our country has welcomed those immigrants who play by the rules, pay their taxes, and contribute to our cherished diversity. But this bill ignores those traditions and attacks the very people who we say are welcome--legal immigrants. The welfare bill effectively stripped legal residents of many safeguards, and this bill goes on to clean up what the welfare bill missed.”