Speech #980009416

reaffirms its support for an immigration policy that is consistent with the nations compassionate and humane traditions and that safeguards the welfare of American citizens and American workers. We urge action by the 98th Congress on immigration legislation that achieves these goals. Such legislation should prevent wholesale illegal immigration but should also legalize the status of those aliens who. though their presence in the country is not authorized. have become settled. contributIng members of their communities. We sup. port the most generous. practical amnesty for these people. Most undocumented workers come to the United States to seek Jobs and are vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous employera because of their fear of deportation. Unable to protect themselves or to call upon government to enforce federal law on fair wages and working standards. such workers undermine the rights. the job opportunities and the working conditions of others. The single most important deterrent to illegal immigration would be legislative prohibition on the employment of undocumented workers. This must be accompanied by an efficient enforcement system providing for sanctions of sufficient severity against employers of undocumented workersincluding injunctionto deter violators. and for private legal action where the government fails to act. Essential to workable and fair sanctions against employers is a system for verification of the identity of Job applicants that will demonstrate the individuals legal entitlement to work and that is secure and forgery.proof. The legislation we seek must enable employers to ascertain in simple fashion the eligibility for employment of those they hire. and it must ensure that employers cannot use these sanctions as an excuse not to hire legal resident aliens or citizens who "look foreign."