Porter Goss: “this is a fair and generous rule which allows for a broad debate on a massive subject. I congratulate Mr. Smith for…”

“this is a fair and generous rule which allows for a broad debate on a massive subject. I congratulate Mr. Smith for persevering in bringing H.R. 2202 to the floor--and I am proud to be a cosponsor. This is about the failure of the Federal Government to control our borders and the impact that failure has had on our society. Although I agree that the issues of illegal and legal immigration are distinct, I know that they are closely related. All immigration is out of control. We cannot consider either legal or illegal in a vacuum without looking at the other--a conclusion with which many Americans agree. In recent weeks the Wall Street Journal reported that 50 percent of Americans surveyed oppose any legal immigration. Such views are born of years of watching the system fail. Mr. Speaker, the problems of illegal immigration are readily definable. Today more than one quarter of all Federal prisoners are illegal immigrants; fraudulent employment and benefit documentation is rampant; and criminal aliens linger in our country at significant taxpayer expense. Well, H.R. 2202 doubles the number of Border Patrol agents; dedicates more resources to prosecuting illegal aliens; streamlines the rules for removal of illegal and criminal aliens; and strengthens penalties against those who disobey orders to leave. H.R. 2202 also clamps down on illegal aliens accessing public benefits.”