Mr. Speaker. for the past several months we have witnessed a raging controversy overthe plight of the exploited. intimidated. and frightened aliens who are in the United States illegally. We have heard countless charges and countercharges over the illegal aliens effect on the economy. over their political beliefs and aspirations and over their actual numbers. As I have mentioned on earlier occasions. the majority of charges are irresponsible and baseless. It is claimed. for example. that they are depriving Americans of their jobs. yet the majority of "illegals" are doing work which most Americans would not even consider performing. The campaign to purge the country of illegal aliens has. unfortunately. primarily focused on the Spanishspeaking. In addition. I am fearful we are coming dangerously close to establishing some form of national identification system in order for one to prove that he is a citizen. These and other issues are discussed in a wellwritten and penetrating article by Christopher Norwood in the May 11 issue of the Village Voice. As Norwood aptly observes. if Federal and State authorities would effectively enforce minimum wage laws and measures stipulating decent working conditions. the conditions in which illegal aliens are now forced to work would not exist and the economic benefits accruing to unscrupulous employers by hiring them would vanish. The same holds true for the effective enforcement of laws which prohibit the illegal importation of farmworkers by large agribusiness concerns. Much of what Mr.
Identified stereotypes
Generalization that illegal aliens are exploited and do work Americans won't do.