I am here to offer what I hope are constructive comments. and to pledge my willingness. both as an individual and as chairman of the Hispanic Caucus. to work for a bill which is not only effective and fair. but has a real potential for enactment. Toward this end I have met with the Speaker of the House to encourage his active participation in this issue and to garner his assurance of expeditious action in the House of Representatives. Immigration reform has consumed the better part of two Congresses. hundreds and hundreds of hours of Member and staff time. and before that. years of work by the select commission. It is an issue of great national importance with international ramifications. and yet it eludes resolution. The question of the hour is why? Why can we not seem to find the right combination of provisions that will ensure resolution of a problem that screams to be solved. The immigration policies of the United States have traditionally been premised on a humanitarian view of our role in the world. that inherently we are a compassionate people who with open arms have welcomed many differing peoples into this country to begin a new and better life. that we are a fair people respecting the rights of all. Thats not to say that there are not limits to our ability to realistically provide for all who wish to come herefor there are limits. Nor. Mr. Speaker. is that to say that illegality should be condonedfor it should not. Nor is that to say that we should not have an effective enforcement policy to ensure that our immigration laws are enforced. and that the integrity of our borders is maintainedfor we should. But. Mr. Speaker. it is my view that we have. to the detriment of our Joint goal of immigration reform. placed too heavy an emphasis on the enforcement side and not a sufficient emphasis on our humanitarian tradition. In other words. our efforts to date have failed to sufficiently balance these important yet often conflicting goals. Mr.
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