Beto O'Rourke: “There are many details yet to divine as we bring our laws in line with our values in the coming debate over immigration…”

“There are many details yet to divine as we bring our laws in line with our values in the coming debate over immigration reform, but I caution my colleagues against using additional enforcement and security measures as a condition and a pretext to delay much-needed reform. While we should always seek to improve the security of this country in ways that are consistent with our Constitution, I remind my colleagues of our efforts and the cost borne by border communities as we have worked to secure the border in the years since 9/11. After we have spent billions on border walls, seen record-high deportations and record-low immigrant apprehensions, endured endless lines at our international ports of entry that threaten to destroy our economy and our way of life, it is time to focus on immigration reform and the secure, legal flow of people and trade. The people of El Paso, Texas, a city of immigrants that was recently ranked as the safest in the United States, can tell you this: pass comprehensive immigration reform, and you will have true border security. ____________________”