Rushville, IL – West central Illinois Congressman Ray LaHood says he wants a comprehensive immigration bill that would seal the borders.
He says a bill he supports would increase funding for the Border Patrol and prevent illegal immigrants.
He also says businesses that hire illegal workers should be prevented from doing so, though the means of doing that has not yet been decided.
LaHood says provisions should be made for the 14-million illegal immigrants already in the country.
He says they should be required to pay a fine, return home, apply for legal immigration, learn English and pay taxes.
He says provisions being discussed in Congress would ensure that those who return to their home couintries would be allotted a place in line when they apply for legal entry into the U.S.
LaHood says he does not favor an easy means of allowing illegal immigrants already in the country to become citizens without applying as they should have done before they entered the country.
LaHood spoke during a visit to Rushville.