Ron Barber answers questions about immigration, the border

Barber's response is as follows:

Washington has failed to secure the border and fix the broken immigration system. Congress must put aside partisan politics and work together to solve this crisis.

Since day one, I have worked with Republicans and Democrats to create a smart border security strategy and fix our broken immigration system. The very first vote I took as Southern Arizona’s representative was for stronger border security.

I stood up to the feds when they tried to get rid of a critical radar system that detects drug smugglers and stopped them when they tried to reduce the number of agents on the border. I worked with the Arizona delegation to put 170 additional customs agents on the border to improve the flow of legal commerce between the U.S. and Mexico.

In cooperation with my Republican colleagues, we advanced the Border Security Results Act to establish operational control of the border. I worked to make sure this legislation would ensure that Southern Arizonans who live and work on the border are consulted in the development of that strategy.

I joined Republicans and Democrats to introduce legislation to address the increase in unaccompanied minors illegally entering the U.S. and to secure the border.

Under this legislation, children who are entering the U.S. illegally from Central America would get a hearing with an immigration judge within seven days of their detention. The judge then has 72 hours to determine the child’s status.

Unfortunately, this legislation fell victim to partisan bickering.

I support the same bipartisan approach that Republican Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake helped pass in the Senate. That measure would secure our border, create a temporary worker program and implement a process for people who came to this country illegally to get right with the law. I have sponsored a bill in the House that would accomplish these goals.

I also support the Dream Act, which would allow young adults who came here as children through no fault of their own to serve in the military or get a college degree and become citizens.

We can solve this crisis, but it requires members of both parties to put aside partisanship and find common ground. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.