Speech #970273208

Recent editorials in the New York Times have urged adoption of our bill. in part. because it will tend to return Americans to works. Contrary to what some might believe. we are not just talking about Jobs in agriculture. Undocumented workers come from all parts of the globe and take jobs in all sectors of our economy. frequently at very high wages. Experts estimate that as few as 20 percent of the undocumented aliens work in agriculture. with the bulk in manufacturing of service sector jobs. During the Immigration Services operation Jobs. conducted earlier this year in major cities all across the country. the undocumented aliens apprehended were earning almost $5 per hour on average. with many making $10 an hour earning $20.000 per year. While Americans may not want certain agricultural jobs. they would find these attractive. No one knows exactly how many Jobs will be opened by the immigration bill or how many jobs will be saved in future years. but even the most conservative estimates start with 500.000 jobs. Other estimates run to 1 to 2 million jobs enough to lower the unemployment rate in the United States by 1 to 2 percent. Every unemployed American costs the American taxpayer about $7.000 per year in transfer payments for unemployment insurance.