A quick note

I just wanted to write you a quick note to let you know that the debate over comprehensive immigration reform has officially begun on the Senate floor.

As we move forward with this process, I’ll be sure to keep you updated on the Senate immigration bill as well as what I’m doing to help make this critical reform effort happen. For too long, our immigration system has been broken, and now is the time to fix it. The way I see it, successful reform must do three things:

1. Build on the important advances we have made over the past 10 years in securing our border. Our Southern and Northern borders are more secure today than they have ever been, but a successful immigration bill will provide the resources and direction that the men and women patrolling our borders need to even more effectively protect our country.

2. Figure out a fair, humane and effective way of dealing with the 11 million people currently living in the country illegally. Most of these men, women and children are honest, hardworking people that want nothing more than to come out of the shadows and contribute to society.

3. Make sure that this reform creates an effective, lasting change in our immigration system. We cannot afford to revisit this issue in 5, 10 or even 20 years. We need reform that will solve our biggest problems and create a sound footing for effective legal immigration for decades to come.

If we do these three things, we can pass an effective immigration bill. Over the coming weeks, my colleagues and I will debate this issue thoroughly and hopefully, in the end, produce a strong but fair piece of legislation. As we do, please let me know your thoughts and what you think we should do to reform our broken immigration system.

Thanks so much,