The paragraph in his letter that I've highlighted is completely void of any concern for the safety of his constituents. Apparently he feels that not only are they a completely passive & non-threatening people, but he also believes that we have an endless treasury to support those who come here having not contributed one dime to the welfare funds they will draw from.
Never mind that the country gave an ultimatum that it was concerned about the past eight years of policies from the administration he supports. So, now their strategy is to claim that the system must be reformed - How, by their standards to allow them to stay in the country and make demands that we change our culture and vote for their candidates? - to keep their party from losing even more than it already has (over 1,000 seats - from Congress to town mayor - have been lost to conservative candidates over the past several elections.)? Oh, let's also not forget that, while the Democrats were in power in Congress, THEY were the ones who stalled on reforming the Immigration policies which have long been a high level issue of concern for the country.
April
20,
2017
Mr.
Jon
M.
Higley
5313
24th
Avenue
NE
Tacoma,
Washington
98422
(Redacted for privacy concerns.)
Dear
Jon,
Thank
you
for
contacting
me
regarding
the
immigration
policies
of
the
United
States.
I
appreciate
hearing
from
you
on
this
important
issue,
and
I
value
this
opportunity
to
respond.
Immigration
is
one
of
the
great
strengths
of
our
nation.
People
from
all
over
the
world
have
come
to
our
country
because
they
see
opportunity
in
America,
and
a
chance
to
build
a
better
life
for
themselves
and
their
families.
The
hard
work
and
talent
of
immigrants
have
helped
grow
our
economy
and
have
strengthened
our
country
for
all
Americans.
Unfortunately,
in
this
new
Administration,
we
have
seen
significant
efforts
to
dismantle
or
otherwise
shut
down
immigration
from
certain
parts
of
the
world.
Executive
Orders
signed
by
President
Trump
have
sought
to
ban
not
only
individuals
from
several
majority-Muslim
countries,
but
to
also
shut
the
door
on
refugees
fleeing
incredible
hardship
–
even
after
lengthy,
in-depth
background
screenings.
While
these
and
other
orders
will
likely
continue
to
be
litigated,
it
is
critical
that
we
fight
to
protect
vulnerable
populations,
support
efforts
to
ensure
families
are
not
senselessly
broken
apart,
and
maintain
policies
that
reflect
a
proud
heritage
of
welcoming
those
in
need.
Reforming
our
immigration
system
is
long
overdue.
Our
current
laws,
regulations,
and
enforcement
standards
do
not
recognize
the
importance
of
sound
immigration
policies
to
our
economy
and
national
security.
We
must
ensure
that
the
United
States
remains
welcoming
to
those
from
other
countries
who
wish
to
visit,
study,
relocate
or
do
other
lawful
business
in
our
country
–
as
well
as
for
refugees
fleeing
conflict,
violence,
and
instability.
The
current
and
future
flow
of
immigrants
through
our
ports
of
entry
is
in
dire
need
of
reform.
The
process
by
which
individuals
immigrate
to
the
United
States
is
incredibly
complex
and
cumbersome.
There
are
very
limited
opportunities
to
come
here
legally,
next
to
no
options
for
portability
or
transferability
of
visas,
and
it's
even
more
difficult
to
bring
family
members
to
the
United
States.
Wait
times
for
individuals
coming
from
countries
with
high
immigration
rates
are
approaching
20
or
more
years. Of
the
11
million
individuals
currently
estimated
to
be
in
the
United
States
without
documentation,
approximately
40
percent
came
here
with
a
valid
visa.
If
the
legal
immigration
process
works
better,
that
value
will
go
down.
We
have
to
make
it
easier
and
simpler
for
individuals
who
grow
our
economy
and
support
greater
creation
of
additional
jobs
for
those
already
in
the
country
to
come
and
remain
here
legally.
Adding
barriers,
physical
or
legal,
is
counterproductive
and
has
historically
led
to
opposite
outcomes.
That’s
why
I
am
an
original
cosponsor
H.R.
724,
the
Statue
of
Liberty
Values
Act,
which
would
bar
any
federal
spending
on
the
harmful
Executive
Orders
blocking
the
entrance
of
refugees
from
Syria,
as
well
as
immigrants
from
several
majority-Muslim
nations.
I
am
also
a
cosponsor
of
H.R.
852,
the
Freedom
of
Religion
Act,
which
would
prohibit
the
discrimination
of
travelers,
refugees,
and
immigrants
on
the
basis
of
religion.
Legal
immigration
supports
families,
brings
new
ideas
and
vitality
to
our
nation,
and
incentivizes
economic
competitiveness
as
well
as
the
creation
of
American
jobs
by
attracting
needed
workers,
high-skilled
entrepreneurs,
and
investors.
This
can
all
be
accomplished
in
a
way
that
is
consistent
with
American
values.
We
must
provide
a
reasonable
pathway
to
citizenship
for
those
individuals
in
our
country
without
documentation.
The
majority
of
people
living
in
the
United
States
without
documentation
are
hard-working
and
valuable
members
of
our
communities,
many
of
whom
were
brought
to
this
country
at
a
very
young
age
through
no
fault
of
their
own.
It
is
time
to
reform
our
immigration
system
so
that
undocumented
immigrants
that
have
called
the
United
States
home
for
years
can
come
out
of
the
shadows
and
participate
fully
in
American
society.
Millions
of
undocumented
immigrants
continue
to
live
in
fear
of
deportation. Likewise,
U.S.
citizens,
legal
permanent
residents,
and
DREAMers
live
in
fear
of
being
torn
apart
from
their
families,
and
our
communities
suffer
due
to
the
loss
of
vibrant
contributors
to
our
economy.
I
am
a
proud
cosponsor
of
H.R.
1006,
legislation
that
would
require
any
individual
facing
potential
deportation
or
removal
proceedings
to
be
guaranteed
access
to
counsel.
The
immigration
court
system
is
complex
–
especially
for
those
who
may
be
non-native
English
proficient.
Ensuring
that
these
individuals
can
access
legal
assistance
should
they
so
choose
should
be
a
bare
minimum
standard.
Additionally,
I’m
very
supportive
of
legislation
such
as
H.R.
469,
the
BRIDGE
Act,
which
would
create
a
new
protected
class
of
individuals,
brought
to
the
U.S.
as
children,
who
would
be
shielded
from
deportation.
This
would
include
current
recipients
of
the
Delayed
Action
for
Childhood
Arrivals
(DACA)
program. In
light
of
the
potential
for
expanded
immigration
enforcement,
more
needs
to
be
done
to
shield
those
who
pose
no
threat
to
our
communities
from
unnecessary
actions.
I
am
also
an
original
cosponsor
of
H.R.
748,
the
Safeguarding
Sanctuary
Cities
Act
of
2017.
Introduced
by
Congressman
Mike
Quigley,
this
legislation
would
ensure
that
any
state
or
local
authority
cannot
lose
federal
grant
funding
if
it
limits
or
restricts
compliance
with
an
immigration
detainer
request.
Seattle
is
at
risk
for
having
federal
funds
cut
as
a
self-identified
“sanctuary
city.”
Stripping
sanctuary
cities
of
funding
for
not
complying
with
certain
federal
immigration
laws
is
unconstitutional
and
would
only
harm
our
communities.
We
are
living
in
an
increasingly
globalized,
competitive,
and
interconnected
world,
where
the
flow
of
people,
goods,
and
services
is
not
just
a
reality,
but
a
necessity.
The
current
Administration’s
tactics
of
running
and
hiding
when
confronted
with
these
challenges,
closing
borders
and
deporting
those
whose
only
crime
was
trying
to
find
a
better
life,
only
weakens
the
global
standing
of
the
United
States,
harms
our
economy
and
national
security,
and
runs
contrary
to
long
held
values.
We
must
do
better.
Again,
thank
you
for
contacting
me
about
this
important
issue.
Should
you
have
further
questions
or
concerns
about
this
or
any
other
issue,
please
do
not
hesitate
to
contact
me.
Adam Smith
Member of Congress
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