H.R. 1510 has not been scheduled for floor consideration for the stated reason that there is no constituency for it. I do not believe this to be the case. I submit that there is a broad constituency for immigration reformnamely. the American people. Perhaps this constituency is not as organized nor as vocal as some of the special interest groups in Washington which are sworn to kill the immigration bill. but it is the only real constituency we should be listening to. Two reputable pollsters. Peter Hart and Lance Tarrance. concluded in August 1983. that the vast majority of the American people strongly support reforms of the Nations immigration laws including sanctions on employers of undocumented aliens. This majority includes Hispanic and black Americans as well as white Americans. A recent Gallup poll reached similar conclusions. I am including. following my remarks. a November 15 New York Times article which discusses the findings of the June Gallup poll. Two of its major findings are that 61 percent of those surveyed believe that U.S. immigration policies are not strict enough and 79 percent support sanctions against employers of undocumented aliens. The other reason given. Mr. Speaker. for failing to schedule H.R. 1510 is that the President will veto the legislation. I do not believe this to be the case. and I am firmly convinced that the President will sign any reasonable immigration reform bill that reaches his desk. I remain hopeful that the immigration reform legislation. a truly bipartisan piece of legislation. will be given an opportunity to come before the House so it can be debated. amended. if necessary. and adopted. The time for studying this issue is over. The time for actionwhich is what the American people are demandingis now. [From the New York Times.
Keywords matched
undocumented immigration