Speech #970224167

Have we fully thought out the consequences of such an action? Such a declaration of amnesty creates a dangerous precedent for the continuing handling of this problem. It is my feeling and the feeling of many of my constituents in Idaho that this bill does little in actually stemming further illegal immigration. Amnesty will only increase the flow. Such a declaration creates the impressionand rightfully sothat there are no penalties or sanctions for disobeying our laws. It creates the feeling that those who abide by U.S. immigration lawswith the redtape and waiting periodsare suckers. Such a declaration of amnesty will result in the loss of jobs of American citizens and aliens who are legally here. The administration uses the figure of 6 million illegal aliens that would surface and openly compete for jobs we need for our own citizens. This competition for jobs would occur not in the agricultural field but in the blue collar and service industry areas. We need these jobs for Americans. In addition to the loss of jobs and job opportunities as a result of amnesty. we also face the very bleak prospect of Federal. State. and local treasuries being required to pay out additional sums in welfare. Many presently noneligible illegal aliens would automatically qualify for numerous welfare benefits as a result of the bills amnesty provision. The administrations own figures indicate that the increased costs of welfare brought about by this bill would be as high as $10 billion in the first 4 years. Mr. President. the amnesty provisions of this bill must be deleted. I have no substitute or answer for this problem but I know that amnesty is "the ostrich hiding its head in the sand." If we must spend additional time and resources to reach a viable solution. then let us do so. Our citizens. indeed the entire world. must know that we have the will to establish and enforce realistic. effective immigration laws.