Mark Kirk on Immigration

WHAT HE SAYS

Securing the border must be our first priority. (Kirk's Website")

The impact of 12 million illegal aliens costs millions of American jobs, strains the environment, overcrowds our schools and closes hospital Emergency Rooms - something must be done to resolve this growing problem. (Kirk for Congress Campaign mailer)

HIS VOTES

9/21/2006 Voted for HR 6094, the Community Protection Act , (HR 6094), which allows indefinite detention of aliens after they have served criminal sentences. It also gives the Attorney General broad powers to define any group as a "gang", and to deport any individual connected with a suspected gang, whether or not a crime is committed.

9/14/2006 Voted for HR 6061, the Secure Fence Act (HR 6061) to direct the Dept. of Homeland Security to construct a 700 mile double steel fence along the US border with Mexico by 12/31/08. The bill provides no authorized funding for the project, the cost of which is estimated to be at least $7 billion.

12/16/2005 Voted in favor of HR 4437, the House Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act, (HR 4437) which, in addition to mandating a wall along the Mexican border, would criminalize the provision of assistance to an undocumented immigrant.

5/20/2004 Voted against requiring hospitals to report illegal aliens. Under the bill, HR 3722, hospitals would not receive reimbursement for treatment unless legal status was confirmed. Bill would also have made employers liable for care reimbursement if an undocumented worker seeks medical attention (HR 3722)

WHERE DOES HE STAND ON DEALING WITH UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS ALREADY HERE?

DOES NOT APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING LEGISLATION (NOT CO-SPONSORING):

HRes 20 - To disallow the practice of Mexican illegal aliens collecting social security benefits after paying in under fraudulent identities.

HR 98 - To enforce restrictions on employment of illegal aliens through the use of more secure ID cards and stricter penalties for employers.

WHY DOESN'T MARK KIRK FAVOR STRONGER ENFORCEMENT REGARDING ILLEGAL ALIENS ALREADY IN THIS COUNTRY? CLICK HERE FOR A POSSIBLE ANSWER - En español, página 1, 2, 3

Mark Kirk received a 29% Rating for 2005 from a coalition of Hispanic interest groups. National Hispanic Leadership Agenda