Speech #980213848

I rise in support of the amendment offered by our distinguished colleague. Representative ED ROYBAL. Illegal immigration has been of paramount concern to me for many years. Not only are significant numbers of Americans deprived of jobs when there exists a readily available supply of undocumented workers who are willing to accept lower wages and work under horrendously poor conditions. but the employment conditions of many more Americans are adversely affected when there is the possibility that they could lose their jobs to undocumented workers. As a nation always aspiring to make sure that everyone has an equal opportunity to realize his or her potential. we cannot condone employers who are willing to exploit the integrity of their employees. The presence of large numbers of undocumented aliens has perpetuated working conditions which assault the integrity of people striving to better themselves. So we need to take effective actions that will prevent people from entering this country illegally. But the effectiveness of many provisions of H.R. 1510. those that are designed to stem the tide of illegal immigration. are unproven and rest largely on hope. While many people believe they will. no one knows for sure whether the employer sanctions provisions in this bill will actually deter people from coming here illegally and in search of gainful work. Nor can we be certain that employers wont play liars poker with the Immigration and Naturalization Service by hiring undocumented workers and betting that the understaffed INS will not be able to check on them. This is precisely why this House should adopt the pending amendment offered by Mr. ROYBAL. It increases authorizations for the INS in order to strengthen the Border Patrol. A strong Border Patrol is the best deterrent to illegal immigration. Some Members have pointed out during debate on this bill the administrations fiscal year 1985 budget request for 1.000 additional INS agents. I was among the first Members of this House who called on the administration to support additional Border Patrol personnel. But the 1.000 agents requested by the administration are not enough. They will not be able to patrol the borders and also enforce the employer sanctions provisions of H.R. 1510. If the Members of this House are truly serious about reducing illegal immigration. then they will join me in supporting this amendment.