Speaker. I am today introducing. along with the Honorable ROMANO L. MAZZOLI. chairman of the Immigration Subcommittee. the Immigration Control and Legalization Amendments Act. This bill is designed to address the question of illegal immigration in a fair and reasonable manner. It has two basic goals: To remove the incentive for illegal immigration into this country. and to regularize the status of those who have built up equities while in the United States but live in the uncertain and shadowy world of the undocumented alien. Only a balanced bill can serve our national interest. Such a bill must attempt to establish control over our borders and at the same time preserve a Just and equitable immigration policy. This bill is patterned after the product of last years conference. with some variations. and focuses on the urgent matter of illegal immigration. a problem that cannot be sidetracked by other issues. First of all. the legislation creates disincentives for illegal entry by establishing civil and criminal sanctions for employers who knowingly hire undocumented aliens. Without sanctions. these employers can hire and exploit the vulnerable undocumented population with complete impunity. The consequences for American workersparticularly minoritiesare severe. This situation cannot be allowed to continue. At the same time. this bill aims to ensure that sanctions do not result In employment discrimination against members of any ethnic or minority group by specifically prohibiting discrimination based on citizenship or alien status. If we are to welcome immigrants and refugees to our shores. and if we expect them to become selfsufficient and productive. we must eliminate barriers to their employment. Balanced against employer sanctions is a humane and generous program to regularize the status of undocumented aliens who for years have contributed to our economic wellbeing and have become a part of our society. I have used January 1982 as the eligibility date because. in my view. it represents the fairest and most practical approach to this most difficult problem and it is the date that was adopted by the House last year. This is the essence of the bill: employer sanctions balanced by legalization.
Identified stereotypes
Undocumented aliens are described as a vulnerable population that can be exploited by employers.