William H. Frist: “people around the world know the United States as a land of freedom and opportunity. We have remained that way in large…”

“people around the world know the United States as a land of freedom and opportunity. We have remained that way in large part because we open our doors to immigrants. We must continue to do so. People come to America looking for a better life. We live better lives because of them. They contribute to our economy. They help weave the rich cultural fabric that makes up our society. But we must ensure that immigrants who come to America come here legally. We face a crisis. Over 7,000 miles of land stretch across our borders. Our ports handle 16 million cargo containers. And 330 million noncitizens--students, visitors and workers--cross our borders every year. An unprecedented flow of illegal immigrants, criminals, terrorists, and unsecured cargo also cross our borders. This challenges our standards of compassion and threatens our national security. It also offers us an opportunity to define our Nation's future. First and foremost, we face a grave humanitarian challenge. Last year, several hundred people died in the deserts and mountains that separate the United States from Mexico. Most died of exposure to the elements. Some died in accidents. An alarming number were murdered. Along Arizona's southern border--the only area for which we have good data--over 20 people died as a result of hanging, blunt-force trauma, gun shot wounds and other apparently deliberate means during 2004. But we have this data collected only because of the work of an Arizona newspaper.…”