Roskam record on immigration reform a broken record

My Sixth District congressman Peter Roskam sure hasn't much to say on immigration reform. Here is a summary of his erudite musings on this critically important subject during his first 8 years in Congress:

2007 "Build a bigger border fence."

2008 "Build a bigger border fence."

2009 "Build a bigger border fence."

2010 "Build a bigger border fence."

2011 "Build a bigger border fence."

2012 "Build a bigger border fence."

Then in 2013, a remarkable thing happened. On June 27, the Senate approved the bi-partisan Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013. Rather than do the responsible thing and inform the Sixth District of its substantial improvements to our broken immigration system, the Congressman mused:

2013 "Oh, my goodness gracious, this will never do. We cannot possibly allow the House to consider such a huge, unwieldy bill. We must legislate immigration reform in little, itty bitty chunks. And little, itty bitty Chunk One is: Build a bigger border fence."

Sadly, Roskam abdicated his congressional responsibility to advise his constituents that the bill will save many millions by offering a path to citizenship which will stop the wasteful deportation of most law abiding undocumented who contribute substantially to our economy. He wouldn't inform the 6th District that this sensible bill was put together by Senators, business groups, labor unions, agricultural interests and immigration advocates. Roskam passed on stressing that besides offering a path to citizenship, the bill will implement innovative temporary workers' programs, increase critically needed vises to skilled workers and create a nationwide employer eligibility verification program.

As a result, GOP House Chief Deputy Whip Roskam helped keep immigration reform from being passed. Then, celebrating the GOP Senate win last week, Roskam returned to his old refrain:

2014 "Build a bigger border fence."