El Prospero: Creating a pathway for the DREAMers

This year we took a historic step toward fixing our broken immigration system. The U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan immigration bill that includes a visa system that meets the needs of our economy, a tough but fair path to earned citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented people living in our country, a plan that ensures security at our borders, and an expedited pathway to citizenship for DREAMers.

As the son of an immigrant, I'm familiar with the promise America represents for families.

A more efficient immigration and visa system will provide employers the workforce they need and build our economy, while also protecting American jobs and wages. We must also ensure our laws enable companies to retain the highly skilled foreign graduates of our universities in science, technology, engineering, and math fields, in order to harness their skills, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit to help create jobs in our own backyard.

As a strong supporter of the DREAM Act, I am glad the Senate bill sees the many advantages in granting citizenship to young people. Thousands of students across the country will gain more education and training, which translates into better and higher-paying jobs. All of these extra wages will circulate through the economy, spurring economic growth and new job creation. I have met many DREAMers in New Mexico. They are bright, hardworking, and most of them don't know how to be anything but an American. It's time to make the DREAM Act a reality.

Those of us who represent border communities understand that they face a number of challenges. We have made great advances in border security in recent years. Border crossing apprehensions are at historically low levels, and have fallen dramatically in New Mexico since their peak in 2005. We also have more agents, technology and infrastructure devoted to our border than ever before.

Our challenge moving forward is to continue to ensure our nation's safety, while balancing the need of our border communities to thrive and benefit from their unique bi-national culture and economy. On the subject of increased commerce in Doña Ana County, I am pleased that a plan to extend the border commercial zone in Southern New Mexico was approved this year.  This initiative received unanimous support in the New Mexico State Legislature.  Increasing the number of visitors traveling to the region will help New Mexico businesses, local economies, and bring in more tax revenue. 

New Mexico's remarkable spirit is rooted in our diversity, our history, and our culture, which has always been enriched by our immigrant communities and family members. With bipartisan support building in Congress and a president who is eager to solve the immigration problem, there is no reason we should not get this done soon.

When it comes to fixing our nation's immigration system, the Senate has shown that compromise and bipartisanship are possible. Despite our differences, this is an issue that both parties can come together and find common ground.  I urge the House of Representatives to work together to finish the job of fixing our broken immigration system.

Lastly, I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you. I recognize that listening to the needs and voices of all constituent groups is key to building a better New Mexico. As we move forward into 2014, I encourage you to share your comments, suggestions, and questions. Please contact my Las Cruces office any time at (575) 523-6561 if I can be of assistance to you and your family.

It is an honor and privilege to serve you in the United States Senate.