Speech #980141055

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to express my disappointment with the House leadership for blocking the consideration of immigration reform legislation. The United States is witnessing the highest influx of legal immigrants since the wave of European immigration at the turn of the century. In addition. 1 million undocumented aliens are apprehended every year. The Census Bureau estimates that the illegal alien population ranges between 3 to 6 million. It is apparent that existing immigration laws cannot adequately control the number of aliens entering this country. both legally and illegally. In response. House committees have worked diligently to correct the many problems of current immigration policy. But their work will not result in policy reform because of the act of a single will. Simply declaring that these problems will not be addressed this year is irresponsible and harmful to our own interests. Whether or not the Members of this body support the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1983. we should be given the opportunity to debate the merits of this comprehensive piece of legislation. Let Congress. not one man. determine our course of action.*