Speech #920147952

Mr. Speaker. the problem of illegal immigration grows more critical with each passing day. No one knows exactly how many illegal aliens are in the United. States. I have seen estimates ranging from 1 to 5 million. But everyone in government directly concerned with the problem seems in agreement that our borders and ports of entry are veritable sieves through which tens of thousands of illegal aliens annually pour into our cities. where they either create new ghettos or go on welfarewhen they are not taking jobs from needy citizens and driving them on welfare. It is estimated that between 1 and 1.5 million illegal aliens are holding jobs that could be filled by unemployed Americans. These people send back to their homelands between $1 billion and $1.5 billion each year. a huge chunk of earnings which only magnifies the balanceofpayments crisis. They not only take jobs that Americans could hold. they also take advantage of our overcrowded housing. hospitals. and schools.