Speech #960190731

President. I would also like to add modifying language to my amendment. The modifying language provides that in the event the immigration sponsor does not live up to the terms of his support agreement. the Attorney General or the affected alien can bring civil suit against the sponsor in the U.S. district court for the district in which the immigration sponsor resides or in which such alien resides. without regard to the amount in controversy. This modification would give the Federal courts exclusive jurisdiction to enforce a sponsorship agreement when no State or local public assistance funds have been paid to the alien. In the event that local or State public assistance funds are paid to the alien because the sponsor has not lived up to the terms of his support agreement. State or local authorities may bring civil suit against the immigration sponsor. The suit may be brought in the State courts for the State in which the immigration sponsor resides or in which such alien resides without regard to the amount in controversy. If the amount in controversy is $10.000 or more. civil suit may be brought by the State or local authorities. in the U.S. district court for the district in which the immigration sponsor resides or in which the alien resides. Additional modifying language also clarifies the liability of a sponsor who. without just cause. fails to comply with the terms of his support agreement. In such a case. the Federal Government would be expected to seek vigorous enforcement of the support agreement on behalf of the alien who has lost his means of support.