WASHINGTON, D.C.  -  Congressman Mike Rogers said today he was relieved the comprehensive immigration bill did not pass a key vote in the U.S. Senate yesterday, but also said Congress still has an obligation to address the nation’s growing illegal immigration crisis.

“I am relieved, but not surprised, the immigration bill did not pass in the Senate. The bill would have granted amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants, while not doing enough to fully secure our porous borders with Mexico and Canada.

“But the defeat of this bill does not let Congress off the hook. Our nation’s borders remain in crisis, and the bill’s demise now provides Congress a new opportunity to pass strong border security legislation.

“I hope members on both sides of the aisle renew their efforts to work together on a new border security bill this year. Our top priority must be to first secure our borders and enforce the existing laws on the books, and then turn our attention to overall immigration reform.  Without control of our borders, no immigration reform plan will work.”

Rogers serves on the Homeland Security Committee in Congress, as well as on the Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Agriculture.
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