Speech #940060262

Mr. Speaker. the number of illegal aliens in the United States has been increasing at an alarming rate. This phenomenon is clearly an issue of national significance and the Congress must discharge its responsibility by taking early and strong action to deal forcefully with this problem. The American public is finally becoming aware of the full impact of this condition. In fiscal year 1974 alone. approximately 800.000 illegal aliens were detained in this country. But all experts agree that this number only scratches the surface. and that there are between 8 and 12 million illegal aliens currently in the United States. Even in a time of prosperity and plenty. such a situation should not be accepted. but in a time when many American workers are unemployed. when many Vietnam veterans cannot find work. when workers of all income levels. and especially the poor. feel the effects of umchecked inflation. we cannot sit passively and permit those who are in our Nation illegally to usurp a significant share of the available economic benefits. Illegal aliens are a drain on our economy in a number of ways. First. they often do not pay taxes. and. if they do. they usually claim enough dependents to offset all taxes owed. Second. they oftentimes receive welfare. health. education. and other benefits that they are not legally entitled to receive. Third. the illegal aliens compete for jobs and deprive American workers of positions they could fill and wages they could earn. And it should be noted. Mr. Speaker. that many of those most adversely affected by the presence of illegal aliens are legal immigrants and citizens who are often at the bottom end of the job ladder. Not only are they competing for the same jobs. but also for the same health care and other social services and benefits. I agree with the Judiciary Subcommittee. chaired by the able gentleman from Pennsylvania when it concluded that: Whatever sympathy one might have for the underprivileged aliens in their drive to improve their economic position. this Government cannot condone employment when it adversely affects American citizens and other persons who are lawfully in the United States. There must be an orderly system of admission and aliens cannot be permitted to violate that system and derive benefits from their illegal acts while bonafide immigrants and nonimmigrants are denied early admission and are otherwise disadvantaged. There are numerous myths about this matter. All the illegal aliens are not Mexicansthere are illegal aliens from almost every nation. All of the illegals are not unskilled farm workersperhaps less than 20 percent work on farms. Many illegals work in all crafts. some have been discovered working for public agencies.