Speech #990072053

I would hope that some consideration be given to including a numerical limitation on any revised H2 Program. to prevent any substantial expansion of the program. and to require growers to demonstrate that such workers are needed. As Americans. we must ask ourselves how much longer we are willing to pay the moral. social. and economic price of avoiding our sovereign responsibility to control our borders. Unless we act soon. a growing undocumented population can only translate into greaterif not totaldisregard for the law and. regrettably. into an Increasing opposition to legal immigration altogether. I am fearful that unless Congress acts to address this problem now. the time may come when America is forced to close its door to everyone. This would be a tragic outcome and must not be allowed to happen. Our strength as a nation comes from our diversity as a people. We must never abandon our proud immigrant heritage nor forget our historical role as a nation of refuge and asylum. For these reasons. legislation to resolve the illegal immigration problem is urgently needed. This bill is a reasonable attempt to balance our Nations conflicting needs in a humane and measured fashion by restoring the integrity of our borders while remainIng faithful to our immigrant tradition. For my colleagues convenience. I am including at this point in the RzcoRD a brief sectionbysection analysis of the provisions of the bill.