Speech #940018520

Mr. Speaker. the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration. Citizenship. and International Law has been studying the problem of illegal aliens. Discussion centers around the question of how to prevent immigrants from illegally entering our country and obtaining jobs. One bill that is generating considerable controversy is H.R. 982. This legislation would put the burden of proof on employers as to whether a person is an illegal alien. The American Farm Bureau. while recognizing the seriousness of the alien problem. opposes the passage of H.R. 982 and the approach taken by that bill. In a letter to Subcommittee Chairman Joshua Eilberg. the Farm Bureau writes as follows: We feel that the enforcement of such a law would place an unwarranted burden for law enforcement on employers. would lead to discriminatory practices against minority groups. and would prove to be unworkable and ineffective in solving the problem of illegal aliens entering this country. I think the arguments raised by the American Farm Bureau deserve our seri-