Let me, once again, be clear from the onset, I support legal immigration. I will continue to work to expand and streamline opportunities for legal immigration. What I, along with tens of millions of Americans, do not support is the current failed federal policy that entices 4 million illegal aliens to cross our border every year while millions of immigrants wait in line.

New York State is home to the second largest population of illegal aliens in the United States and the Hudson Valley is home to a multi-billion dollar black market economy which supports that population. This underground economy, a growing socio-economic juggernaut, relies upon the labor of illegal aliens and is based upon exploitation and greed. Those on the other side of this issue who feel that they are on a higher moral footing by defending this largely untaxed economy and believe that they are protecting the laborers who are caught in its grasp are sorely misguided.

But, we must also remember that we are a nation, and, as a nation, we have responsibilities to our citizens to plan for a secure and prolific future. Our borders are not merely lines on a map; they are tightly drawn descriptions of national definition secured by war and diplomacy. Nations rise and nations fall. In fact, by the very purpose of history, they are required to do both. As such, the fierce debate on illegal immigration that rages across the nation may seem disquieting at times, but is entirely necessary. We must decide where we want to go and how we intend to get there. In my opinion, forming a secure border and fair immigration policy are the two most important steps we can take as a country.

One hundred years ago, Teddy Roosevelt, another elected official who began his career in the New York State Assembly, stated, "In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American."

Greg Ball invites you to attend an open forum at the Mahopac Public Library following his 287(G) Law Enforcement Summit. The 287(G) Summit is an invite-only, no media event and is being held earlier in the day for law enforcement only. The summit brings together law enforcement agencies from throughout the Northeast, ICE, the United States Department of Homeland Security, and many other immigration and security experts and organizations.

Sparking Public Debate:
Citing the deterioration of the Village of Brewster and other communities within the 99th Assembly District, Greg hosted a series of public forums to spark this important public debate.

Stopping the Work Shelter & Promoting Legal Hiring:
Greg has fought against local attempts to build a taxpayer funded day-laborer center that would have further promoted the illegal immigrant exploitation.

Assembly Passes Bill to Deport Illegal Alien Convicts:
Greg fought hard to save taxpayers $87 million by leading the Assembly to pass legislation that deports illegal alien drug dealers.

Protecting Our Local Community:
Every day it is believed that 93 illegal alien sex offenders and 12 serial sex offender aliens are coming into our country illegally. Sadly, the national statistics are coming to life here in our community. Greg immediately took action, bringing together law enforcement and the public and was featured on the Fox News show "Your World with Neil Cavuto" to discuss his bill that would ensure dangerous illegal alien criminals are deported before they harm New Yorkers.

Enacting Landmark Human Trafficking Legislation:
As a member of the Assembly Minority Conference’s Sex Offender Watch Task Force, Greg stood up against human trafficking and prostitution, and led the State to enact this landmark law.

Stopping the Governor’s Illegal Plan:
Last fall, the governor decided to hand out driver’s licenses to illegal aliens. Not only did this ill-advised plan break state law, but it also broke federal laws, including the Federal Real ID Act. Greg led the statewide opposition to this plan and rallied the public to stand up. This fight was successful and, on November 14, Spitzer rescinded the plan.