WASHINGTON - Illinois' US Senator Mark Kirk voted in favor of the immigration reform bill that passed the US Senate Thursday, despite efforts from conservative groups such as Heritage Foundation and Eagle Forum urging him to oppose the legislation. Kirk released a video with an explanation for his support for the bill along with this statement:
“The American system unlocks human potential faster and better than any other system,” Sen. Kirk said. “We are going to unlock the full American potential of 525,000 people in our state who will build businesses and boost the Illinois economy.”
Over the last two weeks, Sen. Kirk worked with his colleagues to improve the border security provisions in the immigration bill. Wednesday, the Senate adopted a “border surge” amendment to add 21,000 more border patrol agents, require the completion of 700 miles of fencing, implement an electronic entry-exit system at all air and sea ports and mandate the use of the E-Verify employment verification system by all employers.
The legislation will face stiff opposition in the Republican-controlled US House.
