Border Security and Immigration Reform

By Wayne Dunlap

Wayne Dunlap believes that one of the most important responsibilities of our Federal Government is to secure our borders. Our country has benefited from having people with vital skills come to American and it is important for the continued success of our economy that we establish an immigration policy that does not impair our economy.

American is a nation of laws and we have a number of laws that are not being enforced. We need to enforce Visa rules, not forgetting that a number of 9/11 terrorists had expired Visas. To insure that those who do come here want to work hard and support themselves, we need to remove the incentives such as federal requirements for assistance and automatic citizenship to babies born to illegal immigrants. Non-citizens that are here illegally need to be required to become citizens.

Our immigration policy needs comprehensive reform and this is a complex issue that should not be defined by simple sound bites. For example, issues extremely important to the 50th District -- many scientists from China have come here to complete graduate studies in biotechnology and then stayed helping to build our enormously successful biotechnology industry. Recently, because of immigration concerns, as many as one-half are choosing to return to China fueling a competitive biotechnology industry in China. Also, our agricultural industry (the 5th largest industry in San Diego) relies on immigrate labor to remain competitive.

Our country has benefited from having people with vital skills come to American and it is important for the continued success of our economy that we establish an immigration policy that does not impair our economy. Temporary work permits should be provided for those with vital skills while they become citizens.