Correspondence With Sherrod Brown

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 9:51 AM
Subject: Reply from Senator Sherrod Brown

Dear Ms. Common Sense:

Thank you for contacting me about my views on the current immigration proposals being considered by Congress.

I have supported legislation to curb illegal immigration by increasing criminal penalties for immigrant smuggling and document fraud, eliminating the use of government documents that are easily forged, and doubling the number of border patrol guards. Better enforcement and tougher penalties for both undocumented immigrants and their lawbreaking employers are the way to fight unauthorized employment, and employment opportunities are what drive illegal immigration.

Unless we fix the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and enforce our own labor laws, we will continue to debate how high the fence should be and how many agents should guard our border – with no real solution in sight. In 1994, the U.S. signed NAFTA, which promised, among other things, to help create a thriving middle class in Mexico. At that time there were 3 million undocumented workers in the U.S.; today there are more than 11 million. In Mexico, 9 million more live in poverty than when NAFTA was enacted. NAFTA has failed the U.S. and Mexico. By creating an atmosphere where Mexican citizens feel they have no chance of a successful life in Mexico, these ill-conceived trade agreements increase the number of illegal immigrants coming into our country.

In addition to addressing the forces that are compelling illegal immigration, we must take action to bring illegal immigrants out of the shadows. While I do not support amnesty and have serious concerns about guest worker programs, I do believe our nation should consider establishing a process by which illegal immigrants can eventually earn citizenship.

The solution to our immigration problem will not be a simple one, as many things in our country need to be fixed to stop illegal immigration. It is time to take a common sense approach to immigration reform.

The Senate recently considered S. 1348, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, but there was no vote on the final bill. On June 7, 2007, the Senate voted 45 yeas to 50 nays on a cloture vote to limit debate on this bill. While I voted in favor of limiting debate so that the Senate could move on to other important legislative issues, I had serious reservations about the content of the bill and my vote on S. 1348 would have hinged on the final product. Because the cloture vote failed, S.1348 will not come up for a final vote. Should these issues come again before the Senate, I will be sure to keep your views in mind.

Thank you again for contacting me.

Sincerely,Sherrod Brown

---Reply---

Dear Mr. Brown,

As we are obviously on polar opposites of the political spectrum, I would like to take a moment to sincerely thank you for your detailed response. I appreciate the consideration. However, your response provokes more questions and concerns on my behalf. I passionately disagree with the opinion that we need to 'bring illegals out of the shadows' by making them legal. As your previous email accurately stated, we are not currently enforcing the laws so why should I believe that the new law will be enforced? Why are current immigrants, a term that should only be used to describe those legally relocating to this country, be punished by trying to enter this country according to the law? Or those already here that paid their dues? This new bill is a total disgrace to those who actually do respect this country and our laws.

As harsh as it may sound, I am not concerned with those here by illegal means and I say we allow our law enforcement agents (i.e. police officers, FBI, border patrol, coast guard, etc.) to enforce the law that they swore to uphold. Then our court system should follow suit. I do not hate these people and I do have compassion for the condition in their country; however, not at the jeopardy of this country, my family, and patriotic legal immigrants.

This should be the people's decision, not Congress nor the President's decision. We unequivocally disagree with the bill proposal and there is a growing unrest among the people on all sides of the political field. This is neither the time nor the place to attempt such a drastic approach. Simply enforce the current laws and upon doing so for a consecutive period (at least five years) then maybe the people would be behind extending such grace. Right now it is a grave concern among the voting population that we, the people, are being sold out by the people on the hill. Even my wacky liberal friends to my moderate acquaintances share this same view. As a collective whole, we DO NOT trust anyone in Washington to stand up for what is in our best interest regardless of the political backlash they might endure. I personally do not care if that person has a 'R', 'D', 'I', or any other letter in the alphabet, I just want an authentic representative that is truly there for the people and by the people and not representing the highest bidding lobbying interest group.

In closing, I plead with you to reconsider this bill should it come back up for vote (which we are watching closely as we know that it will be attempted under the radar again).

Thank you again for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Ms. Common Sense