Speech #990079438

Mr. Speaker. more than 30 years have passed since the enactment of our Nations last comprehensive immigration and naturalization legislation. During this period. the swell of millions of immigrants and illegal aliens seeking shelter in the United States has placed undue strain on our Nation. In an effort to deal with this situation. Congress has acted over the years in a piecemeal fashion to address urgent immigration concerns. The resulting patchwork of U.S. immigration laws and regulations is seriously in need of a comprehensive overhaul by this Congress. Both the louse and Senate spent a con. siderable amount of time in the 97th and 98th Congress considering immigration reform legislation without reaching a final agreement. An effort will be made again this year to complete the task of formulating a sound national Immigration policy. To assist in that effort. I am introducing legislation today to improve upon the proposals considered by Congress in the past and resubmitted for consideration again this year. My first measure is a resolution express. ing the sense of the Congress that no amnesty be granted to illegal aliens living in the United States. After very long debate. the hlouse narrowly defeated an amendment to immigration reform legislation last year which would have eliminated a provision granting amnesty to aliens. The Census Bureau estimates that there are as many as 6 million illegal immigrants living in the United States. Granting general amnesty to these lawbreakers would send a signal to potential aliens that our immigration laws are made to be broken. Amnesty also unfairly rewards those who have bypassed our immigration process. while penalizing the millions of lawabiding individuals who have followed the proper procedures. but have been denied entry for one reason or another. Many others must wait out the lengthy application process. which often takes years to complete. The second measure Im introducing today would correct one example of our Nations contradictory immigration policies by prohibiting aliens living in the United States for less than 5 years from applying for and receiving Federal welfare benefits. Immigration officials have the authority. under current law. to deport aliens who become public charges within 5 years of their arrival in the United States. The officials. however. who administer the supplemental security income program are not prohibited from making SSI payments to these same aliens. My legislation would close this loophole by prohibiting the payment of SSI benefits to aliens living in the United States for less than 5 years.