Speech #980043285

All aliens who have continuously resided in the United States since January 1. 1982 should be eligible for the legalization program. 2. all aliens eligible for legalization should be granted permanent resident status and the temporary resident provisions of the bill should be deleted. 3. all legalized aliens granted permanent resident status should be granted the full rights and privileges accorded permanent resident aliens under current law. 4. state and local governments should be provided impact aid. pursuant to an appropriate formula. to assure that the legalization program does not unfairly burden state and local taxpayers in certain areas of the country. and 5. that persons eligible for the program be granted one year from the beginning of the program to apply to legalize their status. We are prepared to work with the Congress for the speedy enactment of legalization which embodies these principles. The longterm consequences of a growing undocumented alien population seem clear: Institutionalization of a double standard of due process and equal protection for a growing alien population. with concomitant litigation growing out of that contradiction. Growing disrespect for the legal system generally. and a specific lack of regard for an immigration law which penalizes those who obey it and wait their turn to enter the United States. Displacement of U.S. workers. whether actual or perceived. would become stronger among those most directly affectedthe young. relatively unskilled racial minority populationsexacerbating ethnic tensions and employer discrimination. and Dilution of the entitlement to government benefits and to voting representation for communities in which large numbers of the undocumented may reside. but where their numbers cannot be counted for purposes of determining a communitys "fair share" of these benefits. For all of these reasons. fair and effective measures should be adopted to curtail the settlement of new persons in this class and to alleviate the existing backlog of undocumented aliens. Given the limited number of viable options available for resolving the backlog. it is in the national interest and consistent with civil liberties objectives to support a broad legalization proposal as a crucial element of immigration reform.