Ted Poe: “our porous southwestern border is getting worse by the day and the number of illegal entries into the United States…”

“our porous southwestern border is getting worse by the day and the number of illegal entries into the United States continues to grow at a ridiculously rapid rate. Just yesterday, a study released by the Pew Hispanic Center said that the population of illegals is growing by 500,000 a year. This is because of the lack of border security in this country. Our government's failure to slow this illegal action is fueling financial crisis to American taxpayers, especially those in the 24 counties along the 2,000-mile border between the United States and Mexico. The costs that come along with this are draining local communities as they struggle to find money for health care, education, and other social service costs associated with caring for illegal individuals. Unfortunately, the people that pay for this illegal activity are American citizens, not illegals. Americans pay the price for illegal immigration. Americans always pay. Unrestricted illegal immigration throughout Texas and the entire United States drains local cities of money that should be used elsewhere. About 20 percent of health care costs, 20 percent of education costs, goes to those illegally in the United States. They take from America and do not contribute to these expenses. There is more, Mr. Speaker. In California, San Diego County spends $50 million a year in the arrest, jailing, and prosecution and defense of illegal immigrants for crimes committed after they enter the United States.…”