Mr. Speaker. the State of Florida has been subjected to waves of illegal immigration. the most dramatic of which was the Mariel boat lift of Cubans in 1980. However. the real story of illegal immigration into and through Florida unfolds every day. Thousands upon thousands of Mexicans pay their life savings to "coyotes"-people smugglersto cross the Rio Grande and come to Florida to work in the fields and make more money in a day than they can make at home in a week or more. Haitians huddle together tightly on small boats and brave stormy seas to escape an oppressive regime for the slim hope of a better life. And now there is evidence of illegal immigrants from nations on the other side of the world finding their way to south Florida. I would like to share with you an article which appeared in the May 26. 1983. edition of the Fort LauderdalePompano Beach SunSentinel about Indian immigrants who were apprehended in Broward County. Fla. Because small groups do not attract public attention it is easy to understand why nonFloridians think Floridas problems with illegal immigration are in the past tense. Much to the contrary. illegal immigration continues to affect Florida every day and the people of Florida want this Congress to redress the problem.
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immigrants illegal immigrants illegal immigration