Speech #990275002

I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman. immigration reform is long overdue. Even though my own State is relatively unaffected by immigration compared to the States on the southern border. Vermonters know that we must act to control our borders. The drugs that have long been brought across our southern border are now entering from the north. The strain on national resources affects every one of us. And as we all know. the only way we are realistically going to be able to reduce the flow of illegal immigrants is by making it illegal to hire undocumented workers. This bill is not perfect. and the procedure by which it comes before us is unfortunate. I have serious reservations about many provisions of this bill. But on balance. I have to put aside my personal preferences to move this bill to conference with the Senate and on to the Presidents desk. The core of this bill. of course. is employer sanctions for the hiring of undocumented workers and the legalization program for illegal aliens who have established some roots in this country. I do not like legalization. I have constituents with relatives who are trying to enter this country legally who are still waiting. But I think it is a necessary component to this bill. I am pleased that this bill addressed the continuing problem of Salvadoran and Nicaraguan refugees who are coming to this country in order to escape persecution. Our laws provide extended voluntary departure [EVD] status for just such situations. This status currently applies to Afghans.