Speech #970103111

Mr. Speaker. today I introduced a bill which would amend the existing laws on immigration. This legislation proposes changes in refugee policies. in labor certification of legal immigrants and in the admission of third and sixth preference aliens. The bill contains four provisions: First. it would require the Federal Government to reimburse State and local governments for the increased budgetary outlays that they are obligated to make on municipal services. such as schools. sewers. police and fire protection. due to an influx of refugees. Second. in an effort to reduce refugee resettlement in economically distressed areas as well as reduce the burden on those distressed areas in which such resettlement does occur. it provides the following. it requires more advance coordination and closer cooperation by the Federal Government with State and local governments. it prohibits the use of Federal funds. directly or indirectly. for the transportation of refugees to economically distressed areas. and it prohibits those voluntary religious and other nonprofit agencies engaged in refugee resettlement under Federal grant or contract from placing any refugees in such areas. Third. it would strengthen the labor certification procedure by explicitly writing into the statute the present requirement in the regulations for a job offer from an employer in the United States as a precondition to the admis-