Speech #990148620

Mr. Speaker. a front page story in todays New York Times reports that the Presidents Council of Economic Advisors will soon issue a report warning that proposals to punish employers of illegal aliens would have adverse effects on the Nations economy. I ask that the article be included in the RECORD. Most of us know that employer sanctions were a centerpiece of the immigration bill which the House passed last Congress. they will be included in the immigration reform legislation which the Senate passed in this Congress and which waits House action. I agree with the draft reports assertion that employer sanctions are a faulted Idea. but the sanctions themselves are only part of the picture. What this news article did not discuss is the unfair burden the bill would place on the Nations employers by charging them with the duty of policing the work force. The immigration bill pending before the House would require detailed recordkeeping by all employerslarge and small. no exceptionseven if they dont come within 300 miles of an illegal alien and even if they have never hired an illegal. I doubt that this additional Government regulation would accomplish anything other than headaches for employers and increased costs to the Immigration Service for processing all the new paperwork. Costs. I might add. that would be better spent policing our borders. The time has come to take a look at this issue from another angle. Surely we can resolve the illegal immigration problem without burying employers. particularly those with small businesses. under an ocean of paperwork. [From the New York Times. Jan. 23. 1986]