Speech #970102347

Mr. President. I rise today to introduce a bill to grant permanent residency to immigrants who have lived in this country continuously for at least 7 years. have Americanborn children. and have no criminal record. I have also sent to the desk special legislation on behalf of an immigrant family in Pennsylvania now facing deportation who would qualify for permanent residency under my general legislation which I have today submitted. These bills recognize that millions of immigrants who have entered or remained in the United States in technical violation of our immigration laws. after having lived here for many years. have become for all practical purposes contributing. productive. and dedicated citizens of this country. During their long period of residence in the United States. they have accrued undisputed equitable interests in remaining here. the most important of which is their Americanborn children. The children born in this country to illegal immigrants are eligible for full American citizenship. Frequently. this is the only home they have ever known. or wish to know. It is grossly inconsistent with any notions of humanitarianism to deport these children or to force their separation from their parents. Whatever the circumstances of the parents. having been here in violation of the immigration laws. if that. in fact. is true. that does not justify uprooting these children from their only real home to be sent to foreign lands where their adjustment must inevitably be painful. if not impossible. An egregious example of the consequences of our present laws is the case of the Patel family in suburban Philadelphia. Shailesh Patel has lived in this country for 16 years. since leaving India.