Speech #970095766

Mr. Speaker. the House has agreed by voice vote to the passage of H.R. 4327. the Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments of These amendments represent an initial step toward improving efficiency at the Immigration Service and reducing the level of private legislation. However. they barely scratch the surface of our immigration problems. and I am sure the drafters of H.R. 4327 share my view that more comprehensive immigration reforms are urgently needed. One major issue that should be addressed in a comprehensive bill is an amnesty for undocumented aliens. H.R. 4327 touches on this issue. but offers amnesty only to what might be called "elite" categories of aliens. Specifically. the bill would legalize the status of certain foreign medical graduates and aliens with American investments of at least $40.000 who have been waiting in the United States for more than 4 years to obtain immigrant visas. The Judiciary Committee report accompanying H.R. 4327 has this to say about doctors and investors: "The committee feels that both categories of individuals have contributed to the national welfare and the private bills which have been considered reveal their unique contribution." It was the committees conclusion that special consideration should be given to foreign medical graduates because they have filled a serious void in our health care delivery system. and to alien investors because they have made significant financial contributions to this country. However. equally deserving of consideration are thousands of persons who may not possess academic degrees and wealth. but who have become active members of communities across the United States. In this category fall Asians and Latin Americans who were compelled to come to this country illegally to join their relatives because of the otherwise lengthy wait for visas. During their years of residence here. these individuals have contributed millions of hardearned dollars to our tax base while helping to produce the many goods and services that we enjoy. I realize that the Judiciary Committee is currently holding hearings on major immigration reforms recommended by the Reagan administration that would include an amnesty for many of the aliens I am talking about. I believe. however. that the amnesty recommended by the administration is far too. restrictive to be fair. It requires at least 10 years residency in the United States and proof of competency in English. neither of which is being expected of doctors and investors under H.R. 4327. I would urge the members of the Judiciary Committee to consider this fact as they move ahead to draft comprehensive immigration reforms. In reporting a comprehensive bill to the full House. I would also urge the committee to insure that existing inequities in our immigration laws are not perpetuated by the proposal of an amnesty that distinguishes between aliens on the basis of occupation or financial standing in the community.9