Speech #970150209

Mr. President. I p.m pleased to Join as a cosponsor of Senate bill 2222 because it provides the needed reform of our Nations immigration policy. I adamantly believe that any U.S. immigration policy must have as its primary consideration the national interest and the wellbeing of the American people. The bill introduced by my colleague from Wyoming. Senator SIMPSON. is aimed at Just thatthe wellbeing of our Nation and people. The time has come for the United States to initiate a fullfledged effort to control our own borders. The 425.000 people per year ceiling on immigrants proposed by Senator SimiSON is fair and reasonable. Coupled with this proposal is another key element essential to controlling the borderstiff penalties on employers who hire illegal aliens. There are some who argue against sanctions on employers. We must admit that the primary cause of illegal immigration into our country is the easy availability of Jobs. By making employment less likely. immigration would be less attractive for those wanting to enter illegally. The legislation that I have cosponsored would provide the needed protection of employers from wrongful prosecution while minimizing the unwritten incentives for employment of illegal aliens. A responsible immigration policy is the issue here. History has proven that our country is strong because of the diverse backgrounds of our people. Legal immigrant residents have contributed greatly to the strength of the Nation. As Alistair Cooke expressed so well in his book. "America": But in the wake of the immigrant flood that we have been talking about. paupers became shopkeepers. and sons and daughters of peasants bound for centuries to slivers of poor soil turned into clerks and nurses and accountants and schoolteachers and druggists and cab drivers and lawyers and doctors. Looking back on those sheepish legions. we should not pretend that they were ever rollicking characters in a musical comedy. But we should not forget. either. the millions who struggled for a decent and tidy life. and made it. and still do.