Speaker. I rise in support of the rule on H.R. 3810. Immigration reform is a complex and difficult issue. Addressing the many competing interests is not easily achieved. But I strongly believe that the rule we are voting on here today represents a fair and realistic effort to balance these interests. Two years ago. I voted against the House immigration reform bill. I voted against the bill because I believed that employer sanctions would result in widespread discrimination. I voted against the bill because I believed that the massive guestworker program that was adopted would lead to abuse and exploitation of both foreign and American workers. I voted against the bill 2 years ago because I did not believe it represented fair or meaningful immigration reform. Because of our efforts to ensure that immigration reform did not result in discrimination and abuse. Hispanics like myself have been accused of being obstructionist. We have been criticized for subverting the will of the majority. When I opposed the rule on the immigration bill in the last Congress. I was told that although the rule was not perfectthe time for immigration reform had come. I find it ironic that some of these same critics are now attempting to deny the House an opportunity to vote for legislation that has been approved by virtually every committee of jurisdiction. The rule is not perfect. But it does attempt to maintain a realistic balance of competing interests. And to borrow a line from my criticsthe time for immigration reform has come. If the rule we are considering here today is adopted. I am not certain how I will vote on final passage.
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