Mr. President. in the past two Congresses I have voted against the immigration bills brought to the Senate primarily because I felt they did not adequately guard against discrimination against minority Americans. However. I believe after much thought that the new version now before the Senate is a bill which this Congress should pass. First. let me say that the problem of illegal Immigration into this country is growing at an alarming rate. Public concern about this problem is also on the rise. As the public concern about illegal entry into the United States continues to grow. I fear that without some legislative solution now. the future may bring a more repressive approach than what we are considering today. Last year I strongly opposed the Senate version because it lacked adequate protections for those American citizens who. in the eyes of some. do not "look American" or "sound American"-in particular those of Hispanic descent. While Ive always agreed that some type of limitation on immigration is called for. I remained troubled by the very real possibility of discrimination. My interest has been to minimize that risk and to support a reasonable process for redress of grievances that will surely arise.
Identified stereotypes
American citizens who, in the eyes of some, do not 'look American' or 'sound American'