Speech #970225575

I am pleased to join my colleague Senator Towzn as an original cosponsor of the pending amendment to reimburse States and local school districts for costs they incur in educating alien children. Mr. President. our immigration policies have been characterized as ineffective. out of control and in a state of shambles. Our failure at the National Government level has led to unprecedented immigration of illegal aliens and their families. individuals who settle in our States and cities. taxing the finite resources of many communities beyond the limits of their abilities to provide basic services. Numerous references have been made today to the fact that Plyler against Doe is a precedentsetting decisionone which mandates that services to the general public be available to illegal aliens. While the majority opinion of the Court seeks to differentiate between educational programs and services that are traditionally considered a form of welfare. the narrow margin of the decision and the concurring opinion of Justice Powell underscore the likelihood that the parameters of the Courts opinion will be broadened. In effect. since the Court has determined these children are entitled to educational services because they are not responsible for their parents status as illegal immigrants. then what justification can be offered to deny health care and welfare assistance to the dependents of illegal aliens? Mr. President. my State of Texas has a very great stake in the outcome of this amendment because we share the 2.000mile border with the country from which the vast majority of illegal aliens are said to migrate. But I would like to stress to my colleagues that they should not be deceived into thinking the problem of illegal aliens is confined to Texas. New Mexico. Arizona. California. and Florida. This is a national problem and it is a growing problem. In the absence of a firm and enforceable immigration policy. the tide of illegal immigrants will continue and the drain of community resources will increase. In my judgment. passage of this amendment will serve two extremely important functions: first. it will relieve the inequitable burden the Federal Government has placed on local and State jurisdictions. and second. it will encourage Federal and local officials to better document the numbers and whereabouts of individuals who are entering this country illegally. A first step in stemming the tide of illegal immigration. Mr. President. the pending amendment is just. it is necessary. and it is the most equitable way for the Federal Government to assume its fair share of responsibility.