Illegal immigration imposes great burdens on our local, state and federal governments, which are already stretched to the limits of their budgets. Illegal aliens drive up their education, health care, and welfare costs.
Unless we secure our borders, it will be impossible to stop illegal immigration. We need to continue to add border patrol agents, inspectors and other resources.
In addition, we need to crack down on the hiring of illegal workers by providing a reliable system for employers to determine whether employees are legally eligible to work and increasing civil and criminal penalties for employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens. Preventing undocumented and illegal aliens from finding work will reduce their incentive to stay in the country.
"I am
strongly opposed to any amnesty plan. I will continue to insist that
any plan we debate must first deal with our broken borders."
Congressman Burton believes that only through strength do we have an opportunity to win the War on Terrorism. Our strategy from the beginning has been to oppose not only the terrorists, but also those who support them.
This policy of peace through strength must be continued.
The War in Iraq has been grueling and run imperfectly. However, since the United States turned over sovereignty to the Iraqis, three peaceful elections have occurred. In addition, training of Iraqi security forces has increased, allowing the Iraqis to take control of security in an enlarged portion of the country.
Regardless of any individual's position on the justification for the War in Iraq, the United States must now have the resolve to win that war. Leaving Iraq without victory, as the Democrats propose, will create a wider conflict that may expand into a greater war. We must determine to do what it takes to win.
Troop levels and military strategies should be decided by commanders on the ground in Iraq, not politicians in Washington, D.C.
Congressman Burton supports:
Dan has been awarded Ten National Security Leadership Awards
for supporting a policy of peace through strength. The American
Security Council, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Reserve Officer
Association give the awards jointly.
