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No Amnesty. Congressman Aderholt Opposes Senate "Compromise" on Immigration Reform

May 22, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) announced today his strong opposition to the amnesty provision that is included in the new Border Security and Immigration Reform Agreement that was announced on Friday by Members of the United States Senate.

“The people of Alabama and the Fourth District have made it clear that they do not like amnesty, therefore I cannot support any legislation that includes such a provision for illegal immigrants,” Congressman Aderholt stated. “No amnesty is what we’re hearing. Any ‘compromise’ that includes amnesty is really no compromise at all.”

Under the current Senate proposal, no illegal immigrant will be allowed to receive permanent residency if they have not completed certain steps over an 8 to 12 year period. Those steps include: show nearly constant employment for at least 8 years in the future; demonstrate English proficiency; show familiarity with American civics; pay substantial fines; and prove he has not been convicted of a felony.

Congressman Aderholt continued, “Allowing an 8 to 12 year grace period for illegal immigrants is of major concern. It stretches credibility to believe that people will take the steps necessary to follow this path before it’s too late. It is far more likely that in 6 years as illegal immigrants face this new deadline, a different Congress will offer legislation that will wipe out any penalties and allow these illegal immigrants a free and clear road to citizenship. Just look at our past history.”

In 1986, Congress passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act. That law legalized some 2.7 million illegal immigrants, but because mandated enforcement measures were never put in place, millions more are believed to have illegally crossed the border in the hope of citizenship. It is now estimated that there are 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States.

“The United States is a welcoming place for immigrants who enter the country legally. It always has been and always will be,” concluded Congressman Aderholt. “The concern is that this compromise would only encourage more illegal immigrants to enter the country and further exacerbate our current problems. Congress must take a stand and put the needs of our country first. What the Senate has proposed fails to do that.”