Speech #940094714

Mr. Chairman. the public concern about our Nations immigration policies. specifically the issue of illegal aliens now residing in the United States. is prompting increasing pressure on the Congress for legislative action. In large part. this heightened public awareness and concern is closely related to our poor economic situation and the unavailability of jobs. As a result the problem of illegal aliens has gained new importance and meaning. As a member of the Spanishspeaking community. I am acutely aware of the many faceted problem illegal aliens and the great impact any legislation will have in our community. Many of the 15 milion Spanish origin people have close friends or relatives that face deportation daily. Many of the individuals have lived here several years and have established new productive lives. Any approach to this problem must be humane to people who have strong ties to this country but lack the proper papers. Beyond doubt. the Congress must address the question of illegal aliens. I concur with my colleagues who have called for immediate legislative action to resolve this issue. However. in our efforts to deal with this issue. Congress must not allow illegal aliens to become scapegoats. Nor. should the Congress compound the exploitation and discrimination which these human beings already experience. It is my hope that. given the present atmosphere of intensified public interest. attention. and concern. the Congress will seize this opportunity and act with wisdom and fairness. My distinguished colleagues on the House Judiciary Committee. Chairman RODINO and Mr. EILBERG. have introduced legislation designed to resolve the illegal alien question. Their bill. H.R. 982. which imposes penalties upon those who employ illegal alients. isnot a bill I can support in its present form. I applaud their initiative and -continued interest. It is my sincere hope that we may work together to resolve the many different opinions on this matter and secure the passage of a bill in the very near future. . It is in this spirit that I yesterday introduced legislation which reflects the interests and concerns of many members of the Spanishspeaking community. My bill. H.R. 8194. the Immigration Status Adjustment Act of 1975. and H.R. 8195. the Immigration Equalization Act of 1975. would establish a different approach to the problems of illegal Immigration. I hope that my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee will review this legislation and consider its provisions when they begin to mark up legislation on this important question. In addition. I have advocated. along with other Hispanic community leaders. that the Immigration and Naturalization Service conduct a study of the Illegal alien problem. I am gratified to note that in todays State. Justice.