Wednesday, January 21, 2004
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Wednesday, January 21, 2004 |
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Collins urges immigration caution While commending President George W. Bush for having the courage to call on Congress to act on immigration reform, Georgia Republican Congressman Mac Collins Thursday said his colleagues had better be cautious when they deliberate the issue because it is going to be one of the hottest ones that Congress will handle during the upcoming legislative session. “I see a big sign that says ‘Caution: Danger Ahead and travel carefully.’ That’s what we will do and I know that’s what the President wants us to do,” Collins said. “I'm glad the President put it on the table,” said Collins during an appearance on the Georgia-based Martha Zoller radio program, where many callers expressed opinions on this issue. “The issue has been on the backburner, but it has been getting red hot for several years now. We need to address it. “I think,” Collins emphasized, “that what the President is trying to do is solve the problem of people coming here illegally.” Illegal immigration impacts the nation’s overall economy, health care system and public schools. “So the sooner we can deal with this problem the better off we will all be,” said Collins. But, Collins believes, the effectiveness of any immigration reform will be determined by those who are actually carrying out its enforcement. For this reason, he has cosponsored legislation that would improve local law enforcement’s ability to track down criminal aliens. Legislation must still be drafted and debated when Congress returns to work later this month.
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