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U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, the first member of Congress to author comprehensive immigration reform legislation in the 108th Congress, issued the following statement Monday regarding the President’s visit to Mexico for the Summit of the Americas:“In a visit to Mexico last summer, and again during a Mexican delegation visit to the United States, our neighbors to the south made clear to me that it is a priority to get their workers back. They want their workers to find employment, but then to return home and grow the economy there. This is a welcome change from calls for a blanket amnesty. “It is my hope that the President’s visit will result in a similar dialogue, and a boost for the implementation of a work and return program which would meet the goals of reform and security here, while helping to build the economy in Mexico. Such reform is in the best interest of both nations. Our current immigration policy, however, fails to encourage such a return. “A work and return program is an important component of the <i>Border Security and Immigration Reform Act</i> which I introduced in July, and a vital reform included in the principles outlined by the President last week. These reforms should be enacted, and the President’s engagement on this issue and his visit to Mexico is an important step in this process.”Sen. Cornyn introduced the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act (S. 1387) on July 10, 2003. The bill is a comprehensive immigration reform to develop a guest worker program and strengthen homeland security efforts at the borders. For more information on the reform plan, please visit: http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/reform