Speech #910174318

The bill would establish a 2year grace period during which time the present commuter system would be phased out. I recognize that a practice of 40 years standing cannot be abolished overnight without hardship on those who have heretofore attained commuter status. In order to deal fairly and humanely with the many thousands of commuters who have relied on present practice. my bill would provide for a reasonable grace period during which all present commuters must either. first. move to the United States. thus becoming bona fide residents. or second. transfer to a nonresident work permit status. Should neither step be taken within that 2year grace period. their commuter status would be terminated. No new commuters would be admitted after the effective date of this act. During the 2year grace period all existing commuters will be subject to the same rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Labor visavis work permit holders. Fourth. There is evidence that a large number of commuters under the provisions of this bill would make a bona fide move to the United States. I fully recognize that such moves are difficult and in many cases would presuppose the moving of entire families. The Immigration and Naturalization Service. for immigration purposes. would extend to an entire family the same priority date as their U.S. "green card" principal. This would move the families of green card holders high up on the immigration waiting list and considerably lengthen the waiting period of immigrants presently on the list who wish to enter the United States from the Western Hemisphere. To reduce or minimize this period of additional waiting. my bill would authorize a total of 12.000 numbers to be added to the Western Hemisphere numerical limit for the use of new permanent residents during the 2year peCXVI375Part 5 riod following the enactment of this act. Fifth. This legislation would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act by eliminating the present exemption applicable to employers from the socalled "harboring" provisions of section 274(a) (4). The effect of this proposed amendment would make it a criminal offense for employers willfully or knowingly to induce the entry of any alien not lawfully entitled to enter or reside in the United States. It is my intention that section 274(a) (4). as amended by my proposal. will also apply to employers who knowingly employ. among others. nonresident "work permit" holders who are no longer entitled to stay in the United States. or who are working beyond 20 miles of the border. as well as aliens who are in the United States on a socalled "72hour" visitors cardForm 1186. Sixth. This bill would establish a new civil action provision. which may be invoked in a Federal court by any person. or his representative. who has been aggrieved by any other person as a result of violations of these amendments. For example. if an employer. 75 miles from the border. knowingly hired an alien who was in the United States on a "72hour" visitors card or hired an alien "work permit" holder. any person aggrieved by the hiring of such an alien would by this legislation have the right to seek redress in the nearest Federal court. Seventh. As mentioned above. there is evidence that many commuters and their families would move to the United States.