Model Senate
As a class, we simulated a Model Senate. We were each assigned a Senator and a committee- either Environment and Public Works or Immigration. I was assigned to be Claire McCaskill a democrat from Missouri and to be on the Immigration committee.
Speech as Senator Claire McCaskill
Immigration Reform Act
Good afternoon! My name is Claire McCaskill- democratic Senator from Missouri. Thank you all for being here. Although the United States of America is a country founded upon ideas of opportunity for all, it is important we take a step toward fixing our very broken immigration system. I believe this bill is a great first step.
This immigration reform bill provides the educated, or those who wish to become educated, with clearer pathways to citizenship. Because of the large benefits that citizens of other countries can provide to us, there should be clearer pathways into the US. This bill increases border security, grants temporary legal citizenship to long-term illegals, and makes it easier for scholars to enter the country legally. One of my major priorities is to provide those who desire to chase their own dream legally with opportunities to do so. As a country, I believe it is important to understand the ways in which our current immigration system is flawed to begin to address the issues. Currently, as seen on line 25 sub-SECTION D, this bill grants immigrants with collegiate bachelor degrees or higher a work visa for 5 years. Followed by the opportunity to apply for a permanent U.S.citizenship after 4 years. We need a system that makes it easy for those who wish to contribute to the US to do so. As a melting pot, we should include all those who wish to join. Unfortunately, this is much easier said than done.
Although increasing border security is costly, as seen on line 2 of the preamble, 58 percent of the illegal immigration population comes from Mexico. We cannot afford to allow our loose borders to permit illegal entry. Although we are a country of immigrants, we are also a country of laws and cannot overlook the crime of entering the country illegally.
The American Dream has drawn immigrants to our great nation for hundreds of years. Immigrants which have benefited us and been benefited by us have crossed our borders both legally and illegally. So hear me when I say, fixing our immigration system is going to take a lot of work. But today, let’s do something. As one of the authors of this bill, I ‘m aware it needs amending to satisfy the needs of both parties but as representatives and as Americans, it is our duty to protect our nation and secure our country.
Immigration Reform Act
Good afternoon! My name is Claire McCaskill- democratic Senator from Missouri. Thank you all for being here. Although the United States of America is a country founded upon ideas of opportunity for all, it is important we take a step toward fixing our very broken immigration system. I believe this bill is a great first step.
This immigration reform bill provides the educated, or those who wish to become educated, with clearer pathways to citizenship. Because of the large benefits that citizens of other countries can provide to us, there should be clearer pathways into the US. This bill increases border security, grants temporary legal citizenship to long-term illegals, and makes it easier for scholars to enter the country legally. One of my major priorities is to provide those who desire to chase their own dream legally with opportunities to do so. As a country, I believe it is important to understand the ways in which our current immigration system is flawed to begin to address the issues. Currently, as seen on line 25 sub-SECTION D, this bill grants immigrants with collegiate bachelor degrees or higher a work visa for 5 years. Followed by the opportunity to apply for a permanent U.S.citizenship after 4 years. We need a system that makes it easy for those who wish to contribute to the US to do so. As a melting pot, we should include all those who wish to join. Unfortunately, this is much easier said than done.
Although increasing border security is costly, as seen on line 2 of the preamble, 58 percent of the illegal immigration population comes from Mexico. We cannot afford to allow our loose borders to permit illegal entry. Although we are a country of immigrants, we are also a country of laws and cannot overlook the crime of entering the country illegally.
The American Dream has drawn immigrants to our great nation for hundreds of years. Immigrants which have benefited us and been benefited by us have crossed our borders both legally and illegally. So hear me when I say, fixing our immigration system is going to take a lot of work. But today, let’s do something. As one of the authors of this bill, I ‘m aware it needs amending to satisfy the needs of both parties but as representatives and as Americans, it is our duty to protect our nation and secure our country.