Speech #980210402

I plan to offer an amendment which I hope will get us in a compromise position. which will provide a January 1. 1977. cuteff date for permanent resident status and a January 1. 1980. cutoff date for the transitiontemporary resident status with special provisions for Cubans and Haitians. Mr. Chairman. immigration reform and control legislation is essential if we hope to curtail the illegal flow and employ a humane response to the problem of large. undocumented population. Justice Powell of the U.S. Supreme Court observes that U.S. law "irrationally continues to permit U.S. employers to hire" undocumented aliens. Justices Brennan and Marshall. the Supreme Courts most liberal members. point out that the Immigration and Nationality Act "expressly exempts American businesses that employ undocumented aliens from all criminal sanctions * * *. thereby adding to the already powerful incentives for aliens to cross our borders illegally in search of employment." The Washington Post concludes that the employer sanctions in the SimpsonMazzoli bill would impose an effective. orderly. and dignified alternative to largescale raids and roundups. I fear that those who oppose this legislation not only reject a rational and measured enforcement tool. but will also deny many undocumented aliens the hope that legalization offers for a secure future. Mr. Chairman.