Speech #920024609

It recognizes that these workers sometimes perform jobs for which there is no American labor available. This is particularly true in some of our economically integrated communities which span the border communities. The bill is designed to insure an orderly. controlled immigration policy which does not have a harmful effect on the American worker. Specifically. my bill: First. Would redefine the term "lawfully admitted for permanent residence" under the Immigration Nationality Act so that all immigrants must permanently and physically reside in the United States. Second. Would establish a nonresident work permit system for communities within 20 miles of the border to replace the greencard commuter system. This new form of bordercrossing authorization is needed for economically integrated communities which span the border. Work permits would be issued only after the Secretary of Labor certified that American workers are not available and. if none are available. that the wages and working conditions of Americans similarly employed would not be adversely affected. I have included a provision for periodic review of such certification. My intention is to give the Secretary of Labor wide discretion in determining under what conditions work permits should be granted or withdrawn. Specifically. I have in mind situations where workpermit holders are used as strikebreakers. In such cases the Secretary of Labor would revoke the work permit. In brief. I would grant to the Secretary of Labor authority to promulgate such rules and regulations as he feels are needed in implementing these amendments. Third. The bill would establish a 2year grace period during which time the present greencard commuter system would be phased out. During this time. greencard commuters would have to .either become bona fide United States residents by moving to this country or transfer to a nonresident work permit status. During the 2year period. greencard commuters vould be subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Labor for the work permit holders. Fourth. The bill would authorize a total of 12.000 numbers to be added to the Western Hemisphere numerical limit for use of new permanent resident during the 2year period following the enactment of this Act. This would provide for greencard commuters who decide to make a bona fide move to the United States under the provisions of this bill. The Immigration and Naturalization Service. for immigration purposes. would extend to an entire family the same priority date as their U.S. "greencard" principal. Fifth. The bill would eliminate the present exemption applicable to employers from the socalled "harboring" provisions of section 274(a) (4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Thus. it would be 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. This criminal offense currently applies to all nonemployers. This offense would apply to cases involving aliens who accepted United States employment in violation of the law. including green card holders. nonresident work permit holders and Form 1186 visitors. Sixth. This bill would establish a new civil action provision which may be invoked in a Federal court by any person aggrieved by violations of these amendments.