America is an exceptional nation. We are also a prosperous
nation because of our liberties and our free market system.
That’s why people from all over the world want to come
to America to create better lives for themselves and their
families, because we are truly the land of opportunity.
Americans have embraced their role as the world’s premier
“melting pot,” welcoming immigrants from every corner of
the planet. We readily learn about other cultures, customs and
beliefs. We appreciate those who are willing to come to this
country and make America a more vibrant and enriched place.
Americans do resent, however, the willingness of some to
circumvent our laws and enter our nation illegally. While
many, if not most, illegal immigrants are peaceful people
simply seeking to provide for their families, some are not.
In fact, some are quite dangerous, jeopardizing the safety
and well-being of American citizens.
Illegal immigration has only exacerbated illegal activity, such
as the horrendous crimes of drug smuggling and human
trafficking. Illegal immigrants who are repeat offenders are
harder to track, making it difficult for law enforcement to
prevent crime. Further, weak borders have caused
a compounding problem of terrorists assimilating with illegal
immigrants, crossing the border with them and entering the U.S.
Illegal immigration also puts a tremendous strain on
America’s entitlement and health care systems. Illegal
immigrants are typically uninsured and cannot afford to
pay for their medical care, driving up costs for all Americans,
even those actually insured. In fact, several hospitals in the
U.S. have declared bankruptcy as a result of the costs of
caring for illegal immigrants.
We must secure our borders, enforce our laws and promote
the existing path to citizenship. Protecting our nation’s
sovereignty should be a paramount concern of those elected
to lead us, not an afterthought or a reaction once the
problem becomes even worse. Further, taking a stand on
the issue does not mean one lacks compassion, but instead,
that one respects the rule of law and the importance of not
becoming a lawless nation.