Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Governor Gilmore, you mentioned that one of the aims al-Qaeda has in pursuing attacks against the United States is to destroy our economy.

Is there any wisdom in finding a way to cover that cost for the benefit of having those folks screened?

We have to provide a secure border, but we have to facilitate trade.

Most of the people that are crossing that border coming into the United States want to go back to Mexico.

Until the administration creates a comprehensive National strategy to secure our borders--that includes a reasonable definition of operational control we can measure--we cannot quantify success or failure.

We are, and will remain, a nation of immigrants, and no one denies that our immigration system is broken.

Consequently, as we embark on immigration reform we must be mindful that the first step is to control our border--and I will be introducing legislation to accomplish that goal.

I want to commend and thank the Chairman and many others for their remarks about the need to set defined goals, metrics that will chart our progress towards those goals because right now, border security can mean many different things to…

All Americans--whether an immigrant or citizen born here--require a secure border that prevents drugs, weapons, and violence from damaging our communities.

Talk of comprehensive immigration reform is welcome news--especially because it could offer a possible path for citizenship for undocumented immigrants and more visas for highly-skilled workers.

When Government prioritizes enforcement and minimizes the benefits of the people and goods flowing through those ports, it does so at its own peril.