Speech #990275062

Mr. Chairman. I rise in strong support of H.R. 3810. the Immigration Control and Legalization Amendments Act. There exists an urgent need to enact meaningful immigration reform legislation. This is an important economic. environmental and humanitarian issue. This bill represents the culmination of months of careful negotiation and deliberation. It contains major provisions which address the difficult and troubling issues involved in immigration reform. First and foremost. this bill improves security along our borders. providing the funding necessary to increase border patrol personnel by 50 percent. This is necessary both to halt illegal immigration and also to end drug trafficking across our southern border. In 1985 the INS located over 1.3 million illegal aliens. more than double the total number of immigrants legally admitted last year. This is the highest apprehension figure in INS history. indicating that illegal immigration is increasing. Further. a substantial number of these aliens are repeat offenders. These figures show that our borders are out of control. and that apprehending and returning illegal immigrants to their homelands is not enough. Our border patrol must be strengthened if we are to meaningfully attack illegal immigration. I have consistently supported strengthening our borders. and I am pleased that the House has made this important provision. H.R. 3810 also provides a legalization program for agricultural workers who have lived in the United States and been employed harvesting perishable crops for at least 90 days during each of the last 3 years. These workers may apply for temporary resident status. with adjustment to permanent resident status after 1 year. Additionally. workers who have been employed in agriculture for 90 days during the past year may apply for temporary resident status. with adjustment to permanent resident status in 2 years. Before being granted permanent resident status. undocumented workers must show basic citizenship skills. This provision meets the needs of agriculture for a stable workforce while ensuring the rights of those who harvest our produce and contribute to our economy. This legislation requires that. in order to qualify for citizenship. applicants must demonstrate an understanding of English. and a knowlege and understanding of U.S. history and Government or a pursuit of a course of study to achieve such skills. If applicable. applicants must register for the military selective service. Additionally. any individual who has been convicted of any felony or three or more misdemeanors committed in the United States will be ineligible for permanent residence status. Most undocumented workers legalized under this legislation will not be eligible for Federal financial assistance. including Aid to Families with Dependent Children [AFDC]. Medicaid. and food stamps. Exceptions would be provided. under regulations established by the Justice Department. in cases involving old age. blindness. and disability. H.R 3810 also provides sanctions for employers who hire illegal aliens. Jobs are the magnet that attracts illegal immigration. As long as there are jobs available. there will be tremendous incentive for illegal immigration. H.R. 3810 phases in a graduated penalty structure for individuals who employ. recruit. or refer undocumented aliens. The first offense would result in a citation explaining the prohibitions on employing undocumented workers. Future offenses would carry increasing civil fines. And individuals who engage in a pattern or practice of hiring illegal aliens would be subject to criminal fines and imprisonment. Also included in H.R. 3810 are provisions to prevent discrimination in employment caused by employer sanctions. Employers. faced with the possibility of civil and criminal penalties for hiring illegal aliens could be reluctant to hire minority workers. Every effort must be made to prevent any act of discrimination. H.R. 3810 provides for the appointment of a special counsel within the Justice Department to enforce the antidiscrimination measures in this bill. The special counsel is authorized to initiate investigations of unfair employment practices. Employers who practice discrimination could be fined and required to hire the injured party and provide back pay. H.R. 3810 provides a comprehensive package of immigration reforms. This legislation alone will not resolve all the issues involved in illegal immigration. But it does take an important first step in redirecting our immigration policy.