Speech #980219592

The temporary residency requirement defeats the intent of the legalization section. Legalization should be implemented by means of a single tiered status program. It is only fair that any legalization program grant permanent resident status to undocumented aliens. A socalled twotiered system grants temporary status to some aliens for a certain time. then allows those immigrants to subsequently apply for permanent status. Granting temporary status for some aliens produces two unnecessary problems: First. a twotiered program is much more difficult to administer. since it requires two application procedures and the accompanying recordkeeping burden. This discourages aliens from applying. and raises significantly the costs involved. Second. persons granted temporary status risk deportation. Once aliens establish a presence with the INS. they will be subject to deportation should they later fail to qualify for permanent resident status. This is a mortal blow to the scheme. for it goes directly to the ultimate fear of the illegal alien. Mr. Chairman. to pass amendments that weaken the workers protections or obstruct a workable legalization program renders useless the entire immigration reform package that this body has labored so diligently to construct. Our duty is not simply to pass an immigration bill. but rather to fashion the best. most effective immigration bill that we can.. This bill does not carry that burden. I must vote to defeat it.