| Controlling the border is a necessary first step in comprehensive immigration reform By Sen. Wayne Allard Perhaps no issue before the Senate in recent history has elicited more emotion from both sides of the debate than the issue of illegal immigration. My job as a U.S. senator is to see through the cloud of emotional rhetoric blurring the debate and act in the best interests of the United States and the citizens of Colorado. The principle upon which I rely to guide me through this debate is simple: the rule of law. While America is a nation of immigrants, it is also a nation of laws. The rule of law is the foundation of our society upon which all else is built, and without which all else would crumble. Immigration laws are no exception. Because America is admired the world over as the land of opportunity, an untold number of the world's 6 billion people want to come to the United States in pursuit of that opportunity - and understandably so. Indeed, America is the land of opportunity, built on the spirit and hard work of immigrants. Recognizing that truth, America invited in more than 1 million new permanent immigrants last year - far more than any other country. There is, however, a right way and a wrong way to enter this country. The millions of people who patiently waited - or who are waiting - to enter this country through one of many legal channels are examples of the right way. Sneaking across the border under the cover of darkness is an example of the wrong way. Granting amnesty to millions of people who chose to enter this country illegally would reward those who broke the law at the expense of those who followed the law. Not only would this be wholly inconsistent with the rule of law, it would also encourage more illegal immigration, increase pressure on our borders, be a slap in the face to the millions of hard-working immigrants who came here legally, and penalize the 3 million people who are waiting patiently in line to enter this country legally. Because we cannot reasonably expect to eliminate a problem by rewarding it, amnesty is not the answer. While there is no easy answer to the problem of illegal immigration, one thing is for certain: the need to gain control of our borders. Securing the borders is the mandatory first step in comprehensive immigration reform. Without properly securing our borders, we remain vulnerable not only to illegal immigration, but also to others who wish harm to America, such as criminals, drug traffickers and terrorists. Of the 12 million illegal immigrants estimated to be here, approximately 40 percent have arrived here since 9/11. We simply cannot afford to take the risk of allowing people into our country without identifying who they are and why they are here. Thus, it is imperative that we secure the border, thereby driving potential threats to legal points of entry where we are best equipped to identify and stop them. Only after we secure the border can we begin to implement more comprehensive reforms. I remain committed to comprehensive immigration reform, reform that includes enhanced border security, interior enforcement, and employer accountability. And while we must also address the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants already here, we must, out of respect for the rule of law and the millions of legal immigrants, not reward them for breaking the law by granting amnesty. I look forward to the upcoming opportunity to address an issue important to this country. I am confident that we can do so in a way that acknowledges the contribution of immigrants to our economy, culture and society while simultaneously preserving the bedrock principle upon which this country was founded: the rule of law. Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., is in his second term in the U.S. Senate. Last updated May 30, 2006 |