Speech #990281196

The second area which gives me reason for concern is the legalization or amnesty provision. In sum. this provision provides temporary statusto be upgarded to permanent residence status after 1 yearto aliens who were in this country illegally prior to January 1. 1982. and who have resided continuously in the United States since that time. By adopting this provision we reward lawbreakerspeople who have been in this country illegallyand punish the thousands of wouldbe immigrants who have been in the process of petitioning to enter this country legally. Additionally. the millions and millions of illegal immigrants rewarded by the legalization provision would severely test the capacity of our institutions to absorb and assimilate them and adversely effect employment for U.S. citizens. To soften the impact of legalization. the conference report provides for a capped entitlement for grants to States for $1 billion each year for 4 years. Certainly. if we are to have legalization we must ease the financial burden which will befall the State. Yet. I would ask. how in this era of GrammRudmanHollings can the country afford $4 billion? What program will have to be cut to pay for the cost of legalizing millions of illegal aliens? National defense? Education?