U.S. Rep. David Davis: De Facto Amensty for Illegal Immigrants

"U.S. Rep. Davis reflects on first year in office, discusses immigration, war on terror"
The Mountain Press
By: DEREK HODGES  November 27, 2007

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Immigration

Like many lawmakers in Washington, Davis has made comprehensive immigration reform a cornerstone of his first year in office. The issue has become a hot-button nationwide and will likely play a major role in the 2008 elections.

Davis said he favors providing a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the country rather than deporting them.

"Most people in East Tennessee will welcome people with open arms if they come here legally," Davis said. "Illegal is illegal, though. I don't think the answer is deporting 12 million people, though."

The issue of deporting undocumented aliens is not only a big deal nationally, it's of particular importance to some small business owners in Sevier County, who depend on labor provided by those new residents. Davis said deporting those workers and the millions of others could cause major problems for the economy.

He says the first step in any immigration reform plan is to secure the border between the United States and Mexico. That means building a fence, he said. The issue is not only important to stop demand on U.S.
infrastructure, but also in protecting American citizens.