One of the great problems we have had over the years. of course. is that we always dealt with those problems on an ad hoc basis. There is always a tremendous amount. a lot more. of emotion connected with the issue than there has been logic or commonsense. and we have always waited until we are in the middle of a crisis before we get very concerned about it. You cannot write immigration policy and refugee policy when thousands of people are approaching our shores in leaky boats or when a great exodus has already begun. Now is the time to put in place the kind of mechanism that will enable us to deal with the situations we are confronted with in the future. Former Secretary of State Al Haig. looking over the situation that now exists in Central and South America. commented some time ago that what we are likely to see in the near future as far as immigrants coming into this country from that part of the world. will make the Mariel boatlift from Cuba look like a Sunday picnic. So it is a serious matter. and it is one that ought to be approached in a serious and thoughtful way. I feel confident that before we finish deliberation on this bill we will have an opportunity to give it the consideration it deserves. Again I thank the sponsors of this bill for getting us to this point where we can consider these important issues. I think if we do not now enact the kind of legislation the people of the United States expect us to we may not be able to avoid a backlash throughout the country that could permanently endanger the. best motives of many in this country who want us to continue to be the most generous country in the world as far as immigration policy is concerned. I thank the Chair.
Keywords matched
immigrants immigration refugee