Speech #990084588

Mr. President. I commend the Senator from Wyoming for his diligence and leadership in attempting to craft a workable solution to the serious immigration problem that exists in this country. But I feel. after careful consideration. that the bill still does not meet the fundamental tests of fairness and effectiveness and I must reluctantly oppose it in its current form. The seriousness of the immigration problem is not disputed. The committee report accompanying S. 1200 states that: No other country in the world attracts potential migrants as strongly as the United States of America. No other country approaches the United States in the number of legal immigrants accepted or refugees permanently resettled. The committee believes that most Americans are proud of both the reputation and the history of this country as a land of opportunity and refuge. We believe that this reputation and this history have generally had a positive effect on America. However. current U.S. immigration policy is no longer adequate to deal with modem conditions. including the growing immigration pressure on the United States. Immigration to the United States is "out of control" and it is perceived that way at all levels of Government and by the American peopleindeed by people all over the world. I agree with the statement of the committeethat immigration is out of controland I. too. believe reform is imperative. However. I am very concerned with the approach taken in S. 1200 for several different reasons. Therefore. I have cosponsored and supported those amendments that I feel would make the immigration bill a more equitable measure. Minority Americans. farmers. business owners and employers all have a stake in this legislation and I have tried to balance their concerns. Some important additions have been made to S. 1200.