Political Quotes

“I oppose the provisions in this conference report, unilaterally added by the Senate, that provide immigration benefits to certain Iraqi refugees. As Ranking Member of the House 'Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law,' these provisions should have been discussed in their proper place, the House Judiciary Committee. However, I along with Ranking Member Smith, were basically excluded from negotiations. There is no bipartisan support for these provisions in the House Judiciary Committee. This bill grants special immigrant visas each year for the next 5 years to 5,000 Iraqi nationals and their families. The State Department has estimated that for every Iraqi national granted a visa, they will bring over at least four family members. Therefore, the number of special immigrant visas granted under this bill will reach 25,000 per year, or 125,000 total after 5 years. Mr. Speaker, 125,000 Iraqis that support the United States would be a tremendous asset to Iraq and the United States in the Middle East. These Iraqis should remain in their home country to rebuild it and encourage the spread of liberty. If we remove every Iraqi that is supportive of the U.S. from Iraq, terrorists will have the upper hand. Iraq and the United States need these patriotic Iraqis to remain in Iraq and rebuild. While I sympathize with the Iraqi nationals who have been victims of this War on Terror, conditions within the country are improving.”