Speech #980045538

I object to employer sanctions on two counts: potential discriminatory impact. and workability. My first concern is the discrimination which is likely to result against minorities in our society. particularly Hispanics. While there is serious concern about the impact of increased illegal immigration into this country. I believe it would be tragic to create a system which aggravates discrimination problems. and which submits American citizens and legal immigrants to indignities and suspicion because of their surnames or the color of their skin. Acting on this concern. I supported amendments to sunset employer sanctions after 5 years if a pattern of discrimination were to develop. and to provide a mechanism for redress of discrimination in employment as a result of employer sanctions. I very much regret that these constructive amendments were not adopted by the Senate. With respect to the issue of workability. employer sanctions exist today in Canada and a number of European countries. a General Accounting Office study of these programs reveals that they have not achieved their goal of reducing knowing employment of illegal aliens. Moreover. enforcement of such a system would be highly intrusive and burdensome on employers. particularly small business. While the bill contains senseofCongress language that adequate resources be committed to enforcement of the law. there is no guarantee that the Immigration and Naturalization Service will have the capacity and resources to enforce these sanctions. Even assuming employer sanctions could be effectively enforced. I do not believe that they would be an effective deterrent against the flow of illegal immigration into this country. Experience in other countries has demonstrated that jobs will continue to be available from those employers who perceive the risk of prosecution to be remote. In addition. since the immigration we are now experiencing in this country grows out of a desire to escape poverty and hardship. it is unlikely that illegal immigrants will be discouraged from attempting to find a better life in this country until more favorable economic conditions prevail in their native lands. Finally. I am concerned about the implications of the verification system imposed by the bill.