Speech #990072059

I think we should avoid what has occurred in the past. that is. we have had various programs dealing with Mexican labor. and one was known as the Bracero Program. and during those programs. at the beginning and at the end of them. we basically have not consulted with Mexico. We decided to establish them and disestablish them and then notified Mexico. Obviously. we as a sovereign nation have the right to make our own decisions with respect to immigration and immigration policy. but if we truly think that we are going to have a realistic chance of stemming the tide of illegal immigration. in my Judgment that will necessitate the cooperation and the understanding of the Mexican Government. and the best way to do that. it seems to me. Is to have a consultation process of a bilateral nature. We recognize that we have certain needs that are filled by labor from Mexico and from other countries. At the same time. we also recognize that there is a safetyvalve effect on the unemployment and population problems presently existing in Mexico. and that is the allowance of a certain number of their people to come to the United States for purposes of work. I think it is far better for us to have a regularized flow. which is regularized under a process determined by statute and which is regularized under the active intervention of the Federal Government and is reviewed on an annual basis. at least. I believe that is far preferable to the present situation in which we basically have the largest guestworker program on the face of the Earth. only it is known as illegal immigration. Mr. Speaker. I think it is particularly important that the chairman of the Judiciary Committee has taken this step of introducing this bill. along with Congressman MAZZOLI. today. The bill he and RON MAZZOLI have introduced provides an excellent beginning to what I hope will be a successful attempt to achieve comprehensive immigration reform in this Congress. If we fail. as we have during the past two Congresses. then we are inviting the kind of the public reaction to immigration which would inevitably endanger the liberal immigration policy which has so typified our past and which has contributed in large measure to the success of us as a nation. In many ways. it may be said that we are instinctively an isolationist people. having been historically separated from tumult abroad by vast oceans. I am worried. therefore. that an adverse public reaction to uncontrolled borders and millions of illegal or undocumented rliens could very well infect the essentially humanitarian character of the American people. Our future willingness to accept refugees then. I think. would be altered. as well as our policy with respect to normal immigration. For those who would impede the successful culmination of the legislative process begun by this bill today. I have but one caveat: if we in this Congress fall. and if our failure is attributable to legislative roadblocks sponsored by anyone or the organizations they represent. then it is they who must bear responsibility for the public reaction when it comes.