Sensenbrenner on his House bill ‘If it’s harsh and punitive, so be it’

May 1, 2006

Just hours after pro-immigration rallies in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Congressman James Sensenbrenner explained the focus of the “Enforcement First” legislation he authored, which passed in House in December.

Sensenbrenner, a Republican and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, told a Milwaukee town hall meeting that his legislation will toughen laws against illegal immigration and tighten up security of U.S. borders.

The bill would make it a felony to be in the country illegally and would make it a crime to help illegal immigrants.

Sensenbrenner was questioned about what the legislation would mean in terms of penalties, enforcement and potentially punitive provisions. He responded that his bill would be more punitive toward those who hire illegal immigrants than the illegal immigrants themselves.

'The present system is the worst of all possible worlds,' Sensenbrenner said. 'We've got to stop the flow of illegal immigrants. And if (the legislation) is harsh and punitive, so be it.'