June 15, 2006 Mr. Robert where-I-live Dear Mr.: Thank you for writing to me about the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act" proposed by Senator Specter, approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and now pending on the Senate Floor. I welcome the opportunity to respond. I believe that any immigration reform legislation has to take into consideration the reality of immigration to the United States today. The crisis is grave. Our borders are a sieve, detention facilities are insufficient for the numbers of people captured trying to enter the country, the Border Patrol is understaffed, and technology for surveillance and other purposes is inadequate for the job. We need to build a border infrastructure that is modern and effective -- that uses new surveillance technology, that employs adequate manpower, and that includes a fence when feasible. But we also need to find an orderly way to allow those people who are already here, who are embedded in our communities and our workforce, to be able to become full members of our society. This bill does that in a realistic and humane way. Please find enclosed a copy of my recent speech on the Senate floor which explains in detail my support for comprehensive immigration reform. Again, thank you for writing. I appreciate hearing your views on this difficult subject, and I hope that you will continue to write to me on issues of importance to you. Best regards. Sincerely yours, Dianne Feinstein United States Senator http://feinstein.senate.gov Further information about my position on issues of concern to Ca and the Nation are available at my website http://feinstein.senate.gov. You can also receive electronic e-mail updates by subscribing to my e-mail list at http://feinstein.senate.gov/issue.html.