Speech #930120960

I felt so strongly about this issue that I offered several amendments in full committee to provide special treatment for these two countries and when these amendments were rejected. I filed additional views with the report setting forth numerous reasons why special consideration is warranted for these two countries. In preparing this amendment I gave detailed consideration to the question of whether the additional visas for Canada and Mexico should result in an increased ceiling for the Western Hemisphere. I have come to the conclusion. as did the committee. that H.R. 981 should not increase current immigration levels. Therefore. my proposed amendment. while increasing from 20.000 to 35.000 the numbers of visas for Canada and Mexico. does not alter the 120.000 ceiling on Western Hemisphere immigration. First of all. I wish to emphasize that we live on the same continent and share extensive common borders with these countries. I concede that continuity and geography alone do not justify special immigration treatment for any country. But. as a result of these shared borders. we experience a wide variety of mutual problems and concern. These mutual concerns are set forth at some length in my additional views and I do not wish to take the time of the House to restate them at this time.