Our country’s porous borders have allowed millions of immigrants to come to the United States illegally. It is a serious crisis in need of a serious legislative solution.

The previous administration wrongly sought to solve this issue without the input of Congress. The path to true immigration reform is to work with Congress, not around us. It starts with securing our borders. We must stop allowing individuals to enter the country illegally without recourse. We must hold those who break the law accountable. We must put the safety and security of Americans first. I am optimistic that President Trump will approach the issue with that mindset.

Protecting our southern border must be our first priority. The fact that our border can be penetrated so easily leaves us vulnerable to national security threats and has resulted in an influx of criminal activity, especially as it relates to narcotics and human trafficking. We must begin enforcing the immigration laws already on the books. The death of Kathryn (Kate) Steinle—who was killed by an illegal immigrant who had previously been convicted for seven felonies and had been previously deported five times—shows when local officials ignore federal immigration law and shield illegal immigrants from deportation, Americans are put at risk.

Similarly, we must properly and thoroughly vet those seeking to come to this country through every channel, including those seeking sanctuary from war-torn countries like Syria. The United States has a long history of providing sanctuary to refugees fleeing from persecution. However, Arkansans are rightfully concerned that our nation does not have an effective plan to protect Americans from radical Islamic extremism here at home, especially in light of the Islamic State’s attempts to infiltrate the refugee populations that are seeking haven in Europe and the United States.

While national security must be the top priority when reforming our immigration system, the economic security of American citizens must also be protected. That is why I support efforts to hold employers accountable to ensure they are hiring legal workers and oppose efforts to provide amnesty to illegal immigrants. 

We are a nation of immigrants and must remain welcoming to those who want to achieve the American Dream. We should be proud of our record to naturalize those who immigrate here legally. We naturalize more new citizens per year than the rest of the world combined. However, it is vital that we enforce the law and ensure the safety and security of our nation. That must remain the top priority for lawmakers in Washington.