On the recordJune 18, 2013
Mr. President, I think we all agree our immigration system is broken and it needs to be fixed. Unfortunately, every time Congress has tried to fix our immigration system, promises of a more secure border are never upheld. The bill we have in front of us today is following the same path as past immigration bills. Under this bill it is certain that 12 million people in this country who are here illegally will receive legal status soon after the bill is enacted. However, the border security provisions of this bill are again nothing more than promises which, again, may never be upheld. When I talk to the people I represent in the State of South Dakota, one of the questions I get over and over is, When is our Federal Government going to keep its promises when it comes to the issue of border security? The second question is, Why do we need more laws when we are not enforcing the laws we currently have on the books? It is time that we follow through on promises of a more secure border. Actually, you have to go back to 1996, which is the first time Congress spoke on this issue. At that time Congress stipulated that we needed to have a double- and even triple-layered fence system on the border. Well, you roll time forward to 2006--10 years later--with the Secure Fence Act. Congress again passed a law requiring a double-layered fence, this time indicating very specific locations, totaling around 850 miles--even above the current 700-mile requirement.…





