Speech #990084588

However. I regret we are voting on this bill without the benefit of that hearing record. While there is serious concern about the impact of increased illegal immigration into this country. I believe it would be tragic to create a system which aggravates discrimination problems. and which submits American citizens and legal immigrants to indignities and suspicion because of their surnames or the color of their skin. The reason for employer sanctions is to remove the economic incentive for illegal aliens to come to the United States for jobs. Sanctions exist today in Canada and a number of European countries. However. a General Accounting Office study of these programs reveals that they have not achieved their goal of reducing knowing employment of illegal aliens and I believe we must proceed carefully on this issue. Also. of concern to me is the new triggering mechanism in S. 1200 to start legalization. This is certainly a step backward. for legalization will not occur immediately but must be delayed for as long as 3 years. My concern is that this will lead to "witch hunts" for illegal aliens that may occur during the interimafter enactment and before legalization period. As a Senator from a State that shares a long border with Mexico. I feel that I have a good understanding of the problems that have resulted and will result if we continue to ignore the immigration problem. The present bill does not adequately take into account some of the unique conditions that exist along the United StatesMexican border. the effect of our longterm relations with Mexico. or the impact on the eocnomy of the Southwest. The border region between the United States and Mexico is unlike any other international boundary.