Speech #910020846

Mr. Speaker. today along with 24 cosponsors. I have introduced H.R. 9505. a bill which amends the Immigration and Nationality Act by adding a new subsection to section 212. The amendment is geared specifically to regulating more effectively the influx into the United States of nationals from Canada and Mexico under the socalled alien commuter system. which is administered by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. This systema creature of administrative ingenuity without a statutory basepermits Canadian and Mexican workers who have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. and who hold alien registration receipt cards. commonly known as "green cards." to reside in Canada or Mexico and regularly commute across the border to places of employment in the United States. Sample counts of commuters crossing the border have been taken periodically. On January 11 and 17. 1966. 54.375 commuters entered the United States. 43.687 of whom entered from Mexico. This number was slightly lower during November and December 1967. when 40.176 commuters from Mexico were identified and their green cards were suitably marked to distinguish them. Regardless of the exact number involved. however. there Is no doubt that the commuter movement adversely affects the wages and working conditions of our own citizens and residents. especially those living in the cities and towns along the Mexican border in Arizona. California.