Mr. Speaker. the House of Representatives will soon consider H.R. 1510. the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1983. which passed the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 20 to 10. on May 5. It is now pending before the House Rules Committee. The bill has delicate checks and balances which build on recommendations of four successive administrations. including President Reagans. the Select Commission on Immigration and Refugee Policy. headed by my good friend and the president of my alma mater. Notre Dame. Father Theodore M. Hesburgh. numerous academic studies. the incredibly detailed hearings by my Subcommitee on Immigration. Refugees. and International Law. and the work done over the past 13 years by the dedicated chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. the Honorable PETER W. RODINO. Jr. One of the most controversial aspects of the bill is the legalization program. My feelings regarding the legalization proposal when I first heard it were. frankly. negative. However. after studying this issue at length during the 3 years I have chaired the Subcommittee on Immigration. Refugees. and International Law. I have come to the conclusion that a carefully controlled. but at the same time. generous legalization program is an essential element of any immigration reform. Recently. two of our very distinguished colleagues circulated a "Dear Colleague" letter making an extremely strong case for a legalization program such as that contained in H.R. 1510. These two gentlemen. Congressmen BARNEY FRANK and JOHN ELENBoRN. in a persuasive and thoughtful manner have developed the importance of legalization as a component of a comprehensive reform of the Nations immigration laws. For the benefit of those who have not had the chance to see the argument put forth by my colleagues. I am including a copy of their letter at the conclusion of my remarks.
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Refugees Immigration Refugee immigration