Speech #930254572

Consequently. I believe that INS will be in a better position in the future to present a specific and detailed program and justification for increased personnel when it presents its request to the Appropriations Committee. On numerous occasions I have been asked why INS has been unable to stem the illegal alien problem. In each instance I responded that "INS lacks the proper funds and personnel notwithstanding the fact that Congress has always met the budget request needed for INS." It was. therefore. apparent that the real problem was the low priority attached to the enforcement of our immigration laws by the administration. I am pleased that the administration now recognizes the importance of curtailing the flow of illegal aliens to this country by substantially increasing its request for INS appropriations. However. if Congress fails to provide the requested amount of $180 million. it must be ready to assume partial responsibility for this problem. I also share the concern of my colleagues that we must reduce Federal spending whenever possible. but I must emphasize that the additional $5 million becomes insignificant when compared to the tremendous economic impact resulting from the presence of millions of illegal aliens in the United States. Testimony before the committee during our investigation of this problem clearly indicates that illegal aliens have contributed to our balanceofpayments problem and have burdened our public assistance programs. In addition. many illegal aliens claim nonexistent dependents or otherwise fail to pay their just share of Federal income taxes. I fully believe that Congress must be fiscally responsible. but in this case I would have hoped that the Committee on Appropriations would have appropriated the full budget request of $180 million. The Congress must provide the necessary resources if we expect INS to more adequately administer the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act and to alleviate the critical illegal alien problem.