Sunday, July 9, 2006

Fred Hiatt suggested that Congress pass an immigration reform package that provides for a path to legalization only after the administration has begun strengthening border security and enforcement ["How to Save Immigration Reform," op-ed, June 26]. I offered a similarly structured amendment in the Senate six weeks ago.

My trigger amendment said simply that the secretary of homeland security is prohibited from granting legal status to anyone who has entered the United States illegally until the secretary certifies in writing that border security measures contained in the legislation are fully completed and operational. The Senate rejected my border-security-first approach by a vote of 55 to 40.

Mr. Hiatt also cited the failure of the 1986 immigration reform, which granted amnesty to 3 million people but failed to fund border security. The result was that millions more crossed our borders illegally. You will never secure the border unless you put your money where your mouth is. You must fund it.

I am hopeful that more members of Congress will experience the same "eye-opener" that Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) says she did recently in her district. Ms. Harman's voters told her what I've been hearing from voters for two years: Secure the borders immediately.

JOHNNY ISAKSON

U.S. Senator (R-Ga.)

Washington