Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of the amendment offered by the gentleman from Florida to strike amnesty from this immigrationreform legislation. Although I recognize the delicate political balance which has so characterized the development of this badly needed reform effort. I cannot support a provision which. on the one hand. grants citizenship to those who have willfully broken the law. and. on the other hand. slaps the faces of those who have waited patiently. and oftentimes under extremely difficult circumstances. to gain legal entry into this great Nation. In addition. I am deeply concerned that amnesty will send a clear message to millions of immigrants that the United States is not serious about enforcing its immigration policies. thereby encouraging others to enter illegally. Furthermore. there is the potential for an enormous and undeterminable amount of taxpayer expense which may be borne at every level of government as a result of legalization. It is my understanding from one estimate made by the National Association of Counties that the firstyear cost of an amnesty to State and local governments alone would be $547 million.
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immigration immigrants immigrationreform