Hilleary responds to Bush remarks

MURFREESBORO -- Former Congressman and Republican Senate candidate Van Hilleary issued the following statement in response to President Bush's remarks regarding illegal immigration.

"National security and border security are the most fundamental responsibilities of the federal government -- responsibilities that have been ignored for far too long. I am glad to see that the President is acknowledging that a comprehensive immigration and border security plan is required to deal with the illegal immigration crisis.

"I agree with President Bush that we need tighter border security and increased interior enforcement. However, I respectfully disagree that amnesty in any form should be part of the solution. I am adamantly opposed to amnesty.

"I applaud the President's commitment to improve border security, which includes funds to hire approximately 1,500 new border patrol agents. However, to effectively guard our homeland we must do more than increase border security personnel.

"In addition to increasing border patrols I believe that we should build a physical barrier along large portions of our southern border. We currently have approximately 11,000 border patrol on the southern border. Many experts agree that in order to fully secure the southern border without a barrier 150,000 to 200,000 agents and support personnel would be required. A border fence will cost far less in the long term than employing that level of personnel and will be more effective in fully securing the southern border.

"A comprehensive border security plan should crackdown on professional human smugglers as well as integrating our best military technology, such as utilizing unmanned reconnaissance drones and satellites to monitor the border.

In his remarks President Bush also outlined a plan which would provide three-year, renewable visas to workers and incentives for them to return to their home countries after six years. Hilleary expressed his adamant opposition to amnesty in any form.

"To offer legal 'temporary worker' status to illegal aliens is amnesty. It punishes those who obey the law and it offers incentive to break the law. Amnesty sends a clear message to would-be illegal aliens that America's borders are not to be respected and our immigration laws are not to be taken seriously. The end result will be increased illegal immigration. We are a nation that respects the rule of law and any comprehensive plan to deal with illegal immigration and secure the borders must enforce the rule of law."