Speech #970225330

Mr. President. I will oppose S. 2222. the Immigration Reform and Control Act. But before I explain my criticisms of the bill. I first want to say what I think is right about itand there is much that is. First. the bill explicitly recognizes the special relationship we have with our nextdoor neighbors. Canada and Mexico. Those nations. by reason of proximity and history. deserve special treatment for immigration purposes. I have advocated such special recognition for immigration from Canada and Mexico for many years and I am very pleased to see this provision in S. 2222. Second. the bill will promote reasonable immigration into the United States and coordinates normal immigration with our admission policies for refugees under the Refugee Act of 1980. I am disappointed. however that Senator KENNEDYs efforts to restore the fifth preference category failed on the floor yesterday. Third. the bill accepts the existence of a valued population of undocumented workers who have contributed substantially to our national productivity. to our culture. and who have become welcome members of many communities. Finally. this legislation is built upon an impressive foundation of study by many citizens and groups and was subject to extraordinary deliberation in the Judiciary Committee under the leadership of my colleagues Senators SIMPSON and KENNEDY. I applaud the thoughtful and conscientious work the Senator from Wyoming has done in his usual thorough way on this measure even though I disagree with many of his conclusions. I applaud the effective leadership the Senator from Massachusetts has provided in his customary courageous wayand I agree with virtually all the stands he has taken on this measure. Differences remain. The bill. in my view. imposes a new and controversial legal order upon the United States for the purpose of controlling illegal immigration. I disagree deeply with the direction taken by S. 2222 to control illegal immigration. My fundamental objection to S. 2222 is Its system of verification of the requirement that no employer shall hire any individual who is not authorized to work in the United States. The authors of the bill argue that such a work authorization system is necessary to protect employers and. in their words. minority workers.