Speech #960321498

I discussed the "push" factor that stimulates migration from Mexico. In this article entitled "The Promise." Mr. Louv discusses the "pull" factor which draws the migrants to the United States. When. after expenses. a migrant can earn in 3 months in the United States a years wages compared to Mexico. it is obvious that the migrants will be "pulled" to the United States. According to Dr. Wayne Cornelius of the University of California at San Diego. threefourths of these undocumented workers earn minimum wage. The article recounts a brief history of how Mexican labor has always been needed by American industry and is no less true today. At a time when we need Mexican workers so that many small business will not fail and at a time when Mexico needs to export temporarily some of her surplus labor. a temporary worker program appears to be the only logical way to legalize what is unenforceably illegal today. S. 1427. the United StatesMexico Good Neighbor Act. which I have introduced. would create such a program. and I trust will be among the recommendations of the Select Commission on Immigration and Refugee Policy when they make their report next year. Mr. President.