Rep. Daines not happy with immigration bill

The following statement on passage of the Senate immigration bill was made by Rep. Steve Daines on June 27.

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I believe that the bill passed by the Senate today is the wrong approach to immigration reform, and I will work to stop it should it reach the House.

I support the step-by-step approach that the House Judiciary Committee is taking, because it correctly recognizes that our first priority must be strengthening and securing the border and addressing the major deficiencies in our interior enforcement. Until we make these essential improvements, our nation will continue to struggle with illegal immigration.

I believe we should also continue retaining high-skilled workers who have been educated in the United States and work to make the process for legal immigration efficient and understandable for those trying to come into the country the right way.

However, I will not support proposals that contain amnesty for illegal immigrants currently in our country. We cannot repeat past mistakes by rewarding unlawful behavior — the rule of law is a fundamental foundation of our country, and it must be protected.