Speech #930041669

Mr. Chairman. I rise in strong support of H.R. 982 and firmly believe that only a prohibition on the knowing employment of illegal aliens will solve the various problems created by the large scale migration of illegal aliens across our borders and by immigrants who violate their status. As my colleagues will recall. this bill is the direct product of an extensive investigation into the illegal alien problem by my Immigration Subcommittee during the 92d Congress. The subcommittee members traveled to six cities throughout the United States and listened to almost 200 witnesses regarding the problem. These witnesses represented all segments of society and included Federal. State. and local officials. employers. labor representatives. immigration lawyers. religious. ethnic and minority groups as well as legal and illegal aliens. The basic conclusion reached by my subcommittee as a result of this intensive study was that the adverse impact of illegal aliens has been substantial and warrants legislation to: First. protect the domestic labor market. second. Insure the orderly entry of immigrants into the United States. and. third. eliminate the vicious exploitation of unfortunate aliens who have entered this country to improve their economic wellbeing. The official statistics from the INS clearly indicate the magnitude of this everincreasing problem. For example. last year the INS located 505.949 illegal aliensthis represents 121.000 more aliens than were legally admitted as immigrants during 1972. Apprehension. detention. and deportation costs our Amercan taxpayers well over $50 million last year. Instead of indicating better control of the problem it is contended that these apprehension statistics clearly indicate that the problem is drastically increasing and will continue to worsen unless corrective legislation is enacted. Since most persons are in agreement that the illegal problem has reached serious proportions.