Speech #970273207

I yield myself such time as a I may con. sume. Mr. Chairman. the bill reported by the Judiciary Committee is a beginning on controlling immigration. I rise in support of H.R. 7357. but oppose the action of the Education and Labor Committee. It is clear that U.S. immigration policy is out of control and that the country needs legislation to impose stronger restrictions on the influx of illegal aliens. an influx of increasing millions in recent years. We have no idea how many illegal aliens are in the country. but the Census Bureau estimates there are between 3.5 and 6 million illegal aliens in the United States. with an added half million entering each year. Other sources have suggested there are over 12 million illegal aliens in this country and that our border enforcement represents a large sieve. Whatever the number. the presence of such a large number of illegal aliens means that unscrupulous employers and their agents can bootleg illegals into Jobs that are lower than the minimum wage compensation. the illegal workers are afraid to complain about wages and conditions. and Jobs are taken from citizens or aliens with permission to work. This legislation under consideration would remove this incentive to hire illegal aliens and their resulting secondclass status. H.R. 7357 recognizes the illegal population and would offer permanent resident status to any alien who could prove residency before January 1. 1977. These people would then be eligible for citizenship in 5 years. under the rules for naturalization. In either recognized "legal" status. these workers would then be able to assert their basic rights. Furthermore. enactment of the proposed Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1982 will: First. make it a Federal crime to knowingly hire illegal aliens. Second. establish a national status verification program. Third. stiffen penalties for violations by those using false documents. Fourth. retain existing law to deny temporary and permanent status to Communists. criminals. dope users. and anyone who would threaten our national security. Fifth. establish universal criteria for the legalization of current illegal aliens. granting a grace period. setting language standards and new naturalization requirements. Sixth. streamline the process for political asylum. and Seventh. continue to keep our doors open to refugees under terms of the 1980 Refugee Act. In enacting stiff fines for employers who hire illegals. the act would reduce unemployment benefit fraud which has become a serious financial drain in a number of States and particularly in my own State of Illinois. Illinois Attorney General Tyrone Fahner recently estimated an annual loss of $86 million in fraudulent unemployment claims. Recent studies all conclude that Americas immigration laws badly need reform. The last three administrations conducted studies. as did the House Select Committee on Population on which I served. This legislation would keep the welcoming torch of liberty burning. while protecting the best interests of our citizens. We are a nation of immigrants. and cannot close the doors to others seeking the opportunity to live in a free society. Although I support the Immigration and Nationality Act amendments in general as reported by the Judiciary Committee. I cannot support certain amendments to the bill reported by the Education and Labor Committee. My opposition is directed to both the H2 provisions proffered by Mr.