Speech #960259629

I rise in support of the recommendation of the House Appropriations Committee and the Subcommittee on State. Justice which includes $321.3 million for the Legal Services Corporation for fiscal year 1981. These funds provide an important service for aliens and I cannot agree that the immigration suit brought by the east Texas legal services program was inappropriate. Last year at this time I stated my strong opposition to the rider attached to the Corporations appropriation which prohibited service to aliens known to be in the United States in violation of the immigration laws. I still remain very much opposed to such a restriction on the ability of Legal Services attorneys to represent indigent aliens who desperately need access to our court system for the protection of their legal rights. Prohibitions on service to aliens has the effect of discriminating against all persons of Hispanic heritage. citizens and aliens alike. This lawsuit is a perfect example of such discrimination. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent resident aliens allege that they were subjected to unconstitutional searches and seizure by INS and local law enforcement agents because they were of Latin ancestry even though there was no reasonable basis for believing that their presence in this country was unlawful. This lawsuit in no way violates the existing prohibition on service to illegal aliens. The ability of poor persons to go to court to stop such blatant violations of their constitutional rights is essential. Without the assistance of Legal Services lawyers. equal access to our system of justice will never become a reality.