Speech #940006623

Mr. President. I am introducing today a bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act. The bill is an effort to contribute an additional legislative alternative in the continuing discussion over how to deal with the issue of illegal aliens. A great deal has been said about this issue in recent years. and the time is long overdue for Congress to enact meaningful legislation in this important area of public policy and concern. The bill I am introducing today accomplishes four principal objectives. First. the bill places reasonable civil penalties on the employers of illegal aliens. Second. the bill provides an authority for the Attorney General to regularize the status of certain illegal aliens. and certain other aliens present in the United States in violation of law. who have resided continuously in our country for at least 3 years. The primary purpose of this provision is to recognize the de facto situation of many illegal alien families. who have not only resided in the United States for a number of years. but who also have American citizen family members and have fully adjusted to the community in which they live. For humanitarian. family unity. and hardship reasons. I am hopeful we can be compassionate and humane in dealing with the problem of illegal aliens. I am hopeful we have the good sense to avoid the mass deportations contemplated in some quarters. which would seriously injure many people and families. and the ideals for which our country stands. Third. the bill provides for the adjustment of status of nonimmigrant aliens from Western Hemisphere countries on the same basis as nonimmigrant aliens from Eastern Hemisphere countries. And fourth. the bill amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to bar job discrimination against alien refugees "lawfully present" in the United States. and "aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence." Mr. President. the bill I introduce today. and any similar legislation. offer no panacea in resolving the issue of illegal aliens. I believe. however. that action on the immediate immigration aspects of this issue. which are addressed in my bill. will go a long way in providing a remedy and meaningful reform. But the issue also has other immigration dimensions. including the need for new general legislation involving the more equitable allocation of visas to immigrants from Western Hemisphere countries. And I shall shortly introduce a bill for this purpose. And finally. the issue has economic and social dimensions. which not only involve our own citizens and society. but also our diplomacy in the international community and our relations with other countries. The time is past due to face squarely the issue of illegal aliens. and the many domestic and foreign relations problems involved. I am hopeful that Congress will finally move on this issue. and that meaningful legislation will be enacted within the near future. I am also hopeful that the administration will actively join this effort. and that the Presidents new Domestic Council Committee on Illegal Aliens will closely work with Congress in accomplishing the goal all of us seek. Mr. President.