Immigration Reform Caucus

Bilbray Argues San Jose Bill Would Reward Illegal Immigration

KPBS

September 8, 2007

washington d.c. — Congress is again debating comprehensive immigration reform. 

As Jodi Breisler reports, San Diego Representative Brian Bilbray continues his fight to stop it.

The House Judiciary Committee is considering a bill that would allow illegal immigrants to apply for citizenship, enhance border security and create a temporary guest worker program. Similar plans died in the Senate.

Bilbray told Committee Chair Zoe Lofgren of San Jose the bill will only make things worse.

Bilbray: What do you want to accomplish with it? Do you want to stop illegal immigration? Because if you want to stop illegal immigration, Madame Chair, you do not start off the process of stopping illegal behavior by rewarding it.

Not all Republicans agree with Bilbray. Arizona Republican Jeff Flake wrote the bill. But it's unlikely to move forward for now.

From Washington, I'm Jodi Breisler for KPBS Radio.