Speech #970051049

But whether the total number is 1 million or 4 million. certainly the figure of 50.000 is totally inadequate to stem -that enormous flow of workers across the border. With a guest worker program as limited as this. those who have been left out of the program will continue to seek an opportunity to cross the border illegally. They will still be faced with the hazards of illegal crossing and the potential abuses of unscrupulous employers who know that undocumented workers cannot claim the protection of our labor laws. One thing that both Senator SCHMITT and I are interested in Its protecting the Mexican worker from unfair exploitation. from having to work 12 hours a day for 8 hours of pay. Those who are fortunate enough to obtain one of the temporary visas will have no incentive to obey the guidelines of the program once they are in the United States. The temptation will be to remain here illegally once they have arrived safely. simply because the program is too limited to guarantee continued participation. I wish -to commend President Reagan for his willingness to address .the need for a guest worker program. but I also want to encourage him to take a very careful look at the factors involved. If we are going to treat effectively the growing problem of illegal immigration. we must develop a program that provides the necessary incentives .to invite participation. A program -that is open only to 50.000 workers does not provide those incentives.