Speech #990084591

Its unemployment rate fluctuates around 50 percent. The incentive to come to the United States is obvious. The tide of jobseeking illegal aliens shows no sign of ebbing. Illegal immigration isnt going to disappear because of this bill. The problem will only get worse in the future. Of course. we shouldnt throw up our arms in despair when faced with these facts. The solution to our illegal immigration problem must start with gaining control over our border with Mexico. Any control of the Mexican border will depend on some kind of cooperation with Mexico. This is a bilateral problem which demands a bilateral solution. Although this bill includes a provision which establishes a joint United StatesMexico commission to look at longterm solutions to the immigration problem. this provision is only a first step. In order to come to grips with this problem fully. we must work out solutions with Mexico. Immigration is an international issue. This should be an essential element in our immigration policy. yet is the missing element of the bill before us. As it has been presented to us. the Immigration Reform and Control Act fails to address the real problems of illegal immigration. Hardly anything tugs at the conscience more severely than the relentless problem of illegal immigrants. The dilemma is whether this country can protect the resources of its own citizens while exercising humanity to our less fortunate neighbors. It is a very serious and complex problem.