I strongly believe that immigration reform must begin with border security.  Our southern border states continue to face unprecedented problems relating to porous borders that permit thousands of unknown individuals to cross into the United States without legal authority to do so.

I believe that a porous southern border poses a threat to the national security of America.  No matter what your stance on immigration reform may be, I think we can all agree that our borders must be secure and there must be legitimate checkpoints to stop the flow of people entering our country illegally.

Securing our borders must remain a national emergency.  Once the American people are satisfied that we have stopped the flow of illegal immigration, then we can finally begin to focus on how to deal with the millions of people who are already here illegally.

Many Americans are convinced that if we simply enforced the laws that are already on the books, we could solve our immigration problem.  I don't believe that it is that simple, but it is certainly a realistic beginning.  I strongly support the following steps:

• Secure our borders by passing the "Secure Fence Act"

• Improve the strength of our borders by increasing the number of U.S. border agents

• Ensure that illegal immigrants are not taking American jobs by creating an employment eligibility verification system

• Reforming the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program

• Crack down on the fraudulent use of identification documents by illegal immigrants.

The current H-2A temporary guest worker program is extremely important to the agricultural community in Michigan.  However, any temporary worker program must ensure that laborers return to their home country upon visa expiration and do not remain in the U.S. illegally.

And we must find a way to deal with those already in our country illegally that will not include amnesty.  The Rule of law must be respected and there needs to be consequences for breaking the law.