I Came To Congress To Help Reduce

In Fact, Street Gangs Are The Primary Distributor Of Illegal Drugs In The United States.

Immigration Is Not Just Compatible With But Is A Necessary Component Of Economic Growth.

Going Forward, As We Work To Strengthen Our Border In The Interests Of Homeland Security, We Must Also Recognize The Economic Importance Of Immigration Reform.

Gang Violence In America Is Not A Sudden Problem. It Has Been A Part Of Urban Life For Years, Offering An Aggressive Definition And Identity To Those Seeking A Place To Belong In The Chaos Of Large Metropolitan Areas.

In Washington State, The Immigrant Population Has Grown By 42 Percent In The Five Years Between 2000 And 2005 - Which Is An Increase From 8 Percent To 10.6 Percent Of The Overall Population - And The Jobless Rate In The State Has Hit A 6 Year Low.