Before I get into the specifics of the issue I want to remind you that illegal immigrants knowingly and willfully violate the law of the United States by entering this country illegally or by staying beyond the term of their visas.
Those who examine my voting record in the State Senate know I have been a leader on fighting illegal immigration in Maryland. Most recently I successfully killed the Democrat proposal to allow illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition (i.e. taxpayer funded scholarships) at Maryland's state colleges and universities. I also co-sponsored a bill making it illegal for illegal immigrants to receive Maryland drivers licenses. As a State Senator my goal has been to make sure Maryland does not become a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants.

As a congressman, my goal will be to make sure the United States does not become a sanctuary nation for illegal immigrants. For over the last decade, members of Congress have failed to protect the sovereignty of our nation by refusing to secure our borders. Members of Congress refused to get serious about illegal immigration and not a single Congressman from Maryland would take the lead.

I believe first and foremost the borders must be secure. Illegal immigration hurts the taxpayers of our nation (studies show the average illegal immigrant family receive government subsidies of $19,000 per year) and is a threat to our national security (many of the 9/11 hijackers were in our nation illegally). Unlike some politicians, I don't only talk about illegal immigration in an election year. I've been a constant leader in the fight against illegal immigrants flocking to Maryland.

I have a very simple immigration plan. Enforce the laws we have on the books and NEVER allow amnesty!! If current laws were enforced we would not have 12 million (an estimate created by Democrats who know the real number is closer to 20million) illegal immigrants in our nation.

To help secure the borders Congress needs to:
1) Double the number of Border Patrol Agents. We must stop the flood of illegal immigrants across our southern border.
2) Double the number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents – Not only must we stop illegal immigrants from coming into our country, we must increase enforcement once they are here. We must discourage businesses from knowingly violating our laws by hiring illegal immigrants.
3) Say NO to all forms of Amnesty. I believe amnesty undermines the rule of law in our nation. The rule of law is the fabric that holds every democratic society together. 

I am a firm believer in LEGAL immigration. A vast majority of Americans including myself have ancestors who immigrated to this county and they did so LEGALLY. When these immigrants came to this country, they were forced to have sponsors and were forced to sign papers agreeing they would not accept handouts from the government.

Thank you for taking the time to read my opinion on this vital issue,

Andy