Bob Menendez: “the guiding principle in our Nation's immigration policy should be to reward controlled legal immigration and dissuade…”

“the guiding principle in our Nation's immigration policy should be to reward controlled legal immigration and dissuade illegal immigration. As an American-born son of legal immigrants, I can tell you this bill sends the wrong message. Instead of saying to potential immigrants that if you play by the rules, wait your turn, and follow the law, you will benefit by becoming a permanent resident, we say, we're going to treat you just about the same as an illegal immigrant. The cuts in legal immigration hurt family reunification efforts and show the hypocrisy of a Congress that promotes family values. Why does this ``family friendly'' Congress want to prohibit the adult sons, daughters, brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens from entering the country? Legal immigration reinforces family structure, upholds family values, and benefits the Nation. Creating a hardship for U.S. citizens by permanently separating them from their close family members does not promote family values. It disintegrates the fabric of American values and jeopardizes the Nation's future. We can fight illegal immigration and preserve family-centered legal immigration by supporting this amendment.”