Speech #980107630

Mr. Speaker. I was appalled today to hear confirmation of the fact that the House Democratic leadership has decided not to allow the SimpsonMazzoli Immigration Reform and Control Act to come to the floor for a vote this year which I take to mean in this Congress. It has been well documented and we are all fully aware that the United States has lost control of its borders. Responsible estimates as to the count of illegal immigrants in this country at the present time range higher than 12 million. The most recent statistics from the immigration and naturalization service indicate an alarming and sizable increase in illegal border crossings just this year alone. There can be no doubt that the quality of life in America is gravely threatened by the failure of this Congress to act to restore control over our borders and produce immigration laws that once again work to allow reasonable numbers of immigrants to enter our country each year who can be absorbed and assimilated into our society. The Senate has twice voted overwhelmingly for the SimpsonMazzoli Immigration Act. The House Judiciary Committee reported it out 4 months ago. Virtually every editorial writer of every major newspaper in this country has urged its passage.