Speech #990082580

I will tell you that if this legislation is passed. it will be seen in Mexico City as causing difficulty because it will be seen as at least a partial closing of that safety valve. The plain fact of the matter. to put it as simply as possible. is that it is in the interest of the United States to control its borders. It certainly is in the interest of the United States to bring about immigration reform. Whether I agree with the exact method that is being proposed by the Senator from Wyoming. there can be no disagreement with the requirement. nor the need for action to bring about immigration reform. I do not know what direction there may be for the kind of unilateral executive suspension of a law passed by the Congress that is proposed in the amendment by the Senator from Illinois. I will simply say to the Senator that while caution is required in dealing with legislation as far reaching as this the basic thrust of this legislation cannot help but cause discomfiture to the Republic of Mexico because it is an instance where I think we are compelled to recognize that the interests of the United States are not the same as those of the interests of Mexico.