Speech #970225229

I have two serious concerns about the employer sanctions provisions contained in section 101 of S. 2222. The first is the potential discriminatory impact the sanctions will have on American citizens who are members of minority groups. especially Hispanic citizens. There is no doubt that the problem of illegal immigration is a crisis which we can no longer afford to ignorewith anywhere fron 3 to 5 million illegal aliens currently in the United States accounting for somewhere between 30 to 50 percent of the annual population increase in the United States. Since 1971 every major immigration reform bill that has been introduced has contained some provision imposing penalties on employers for knowingly hiring illegal aliens. President Fords Cabinetlevel Domestic Council Committee on Illegal Aliens 1976 report. President Carters 1977 Task Force Study on Immigration Reform and most recently President Reagans Select Commission on Immigration Reform in its 1981 report. all recommended the enactment of employer sanctions. Thus. based on the research that has been done on the problem of illegal immigration over the last several years. some form of employer sanctions appears to be an essential part of any effort to achieve a solution. However. in the course of the recent Subcommittee on Immigration and Refugee Policy hearings. an objection was raised to employer sanctions on the grounds that they might result in discrimination against certain American workers. Mr. President. While I do not believe that it is fair to only impose sanctions on undocumented aliens as we do under current law while allowing employers who may be exploiting those aliens to escape liability. I also do not believe that It is equitable to create a system that makes employers reluctant to hire certain American citizens. particularly Hispanic Americans. It is for that reason that I support the amendments proposed by the distinguished Senator from Massachusetts (Mr.