Speech #990084584

Mr. President. the Senate once again Is faced with final passage of legislation to restructure our Nations laws with respect to illegal immigration. I support S. 1200. and commend Senators SIMPSON and KENNEDY for their perserverence on this highly complex and controversial issue. Crafting immigration reform legislation which responds to the unique conditions of our day takes tremendous wisdom and requires a great deal of time. As we are all aware. our Nations present immigration laws have proven woefully inadequate in controlling the flow of persons entering the country illegally. For years it has been clear that immigration reform is necessary. Unfortunately. because of highly emotional and diverse views on the myriad of issues relating to immigration reform. Congress has been unable to reach agreement. This paralysis is regrettable. Our Nation admits more legal immigrants and refugees than any other nation. However. unless Congress takes swift action to control the flow of illegal immigrants. the increased competition for jobs and the growing number of illegal workers. will likely spawn an outcry for the complete closure of our borders from the American people. Mr. President there are four basic components which form the foundation of this legislations efforts to halt the flow of illegal immigrants. In my judgment. each play an essential part in responding to the difficult challenge of immigration reform. First. S. 1200 states that it is the sense of the Congress that the Immigration and Naturalization Service [INS] should increase its border patrol and other inspection and enforcement activities. Accordingly. the bill establishes the authority to increase funding for the INS by approximately $300 million in 1987 and 1988. The bill also increases penalties for bringing an alien into the United States. for the use and manufacture of counterfeit or altered entry documents and for the use and manufacture of false identification. Second. the bill institutes employer sanctions for those employers who knowingly hire unauthorized aliens. Under current law it is not unlawful for an employer to hire an illegal alien. This fact. coupled with the fact that our Nation is the most prosperous and promising country in the world. creates a powerful magnet which draws poor. and often desperate individuals to cross our borders illegally in search of a means to support themselves and their families. These aliens are often subject to inhumane and oppressive treatment by unscrupulous employers who know full well that the worker will not report to law enforcement authorities any violations for fear of being deported. Employer sanctions would place a civil fine of up to $2.000 per alien on an employer. of four or more persons. who knowingly hires an illegal alien. A second offense would bring a fine of up to $5.000 per illegal alien. and upon conviction of a third violation the fine could be as high as $10.000 per illegal alien. Additionally. the third offense would establish a pattern or practice of violations. Once a pattern or practice of violations has been established. any additional offense would bring a criminal penalty of up to $3.000 per alien. and imprisonment of up to 6 months.