Recent Press Releases

Thune: Rushed Immigration Reform Poses Major National Security Risks

Urges Democrat Leadership to Allow for Due Debate on Foremost National Challenge

June 6, 2007

Washington, D.C. —  Senator John Thune (R-SD) today commented on the Senate Democrat leadership's threat to cut off debate on the immigration reform bill and rush through its consideration:

"I'll be the first to say that the Senate often gets bogged down in unnecessarily long and partisan debates and deliberations," Thune said. "But when it comes to one of the foremost challenges our nation faces and a significant threat to our national security, we cannot afford hurrying through the debate only to deliver a flawed plan to fix a flawed system.

"Senate Democrat leaders have threatened to cut off debate on the immigration reform bill, tossing aside several amendments. This includes one that I've introduced that prioritizes border security. Democrats fear that amendments such as these will bring to light the glaring flaws and gaping holes in this bill.

"I'm hopeful the Democrat leadership will rethink their steps and give the immigration reform bill its due consideration so that we can tackle this critical issue and produce meaningful solutions as opposed to hurried stopgaps that leave our country vulnerable."

Senator Thune's amendment (#1174) to the pending immigration bill would require strict border security measures to be funded and implemented prior to the granting of any probationary legal status to aliens. This amendment would prioritize the securing of U.S. borders before any benefits are given to undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S.

"The safety of all Americans is paramount, and the first step to ensuring our safety is to secure the border. My amendment would make this priority crystal clear," Thune said.

Details of the Thune Amendment:
  • Would prohibit the granting of probationary legal status to illegal aliens before certain border security and other measures are implemented.

  • Represents an effort to tighten the trigger requirements by eliminating the exception for "probationary benefits" and ensuring that no probationary benefit for illegal aliens can be issued until the trigger mechanisms in this bill are implemented.