Speech #990284264

This provision will require States to verify. through INS computer records. the legal status of all aliens applying for benefits under certain programs of public assistance. The States will now be required to screen applicants for entitlements to determine if they are in this country illegally. It will prevent illegal aliens who are not entitled to receive these benefits from receiving them. The provision in the report also reimburses the States for 100 percent of the costs associated with implementing the program. These costs. however. will be more than made up in savings under the entitlement programs. I am very pleased that the final version of S. 1200 will include the SAVE provision. Mr. President. one of the most controversial aspects of this immigration reform proposal is the provision granting legal status to illegal aliens who have resided continuously in the United States since 1982. I have been a reluctant supporter of past legalization provisions and I support the legalization provision before us now. The fact is that the Immigration and Naturalization Service cannot hope to find and deport all the illegal aliens who are currently in this country. There is not even a reliable figure as to how many illegal aliens there are in the United States. Given these circumstances. it is clear that we should give the INS a clean slate and encourage it to focus on preventing future illegal immigration. While I share the concern expressed by those who believe that the legalization program is rewarding those who have broken the law. I see no other solution to the current crisis. Also. it is important to note that it is a fact that without a legalization there will be no immigration reform. The need for comprehensive immigration reform is so great that we must move forward. This is the case now. just as it was the case when the Senate considered this bill last year. I must state. however. that I have deep reservations about the provision in this bill that grants temporary resident status to designated agricultural workers. I fail to understand why we should give such generous treatment to these designated agricultural laborers in our immigration laws. I intend to follow the implementation of this program very closely and will work to tighten this provision if there is a need. I would prefer a more tightly controlled system to meet the labor needs of the producers of perishable commodities that is similar to the existing H2 Program. In a related matter. the conference report contains a provision to provide an immediate $1 billion appropriation for each of fiscal years 1988 through 1991 to cover the cost of the Legalization Program. There have been expressions of concern that this appropriation will not cover the real cost of the Legalization Program. The fact is that our immigration policy is the sole responsibility of the Federal Government and we should not saddle our local communities with extra burdens associated with this Federal policy. Thus. it is my hope that if the $4 billion does not prove to be adequate to cover that cost of the Legalization Program. that we will return to provide more funds. Mr. President. the most important aspect of this bill is the question of enforcement. The bill contains an employer sanctions provision that will impose both civil and criminal penalties on employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. This provision is essential to preventing illegal immigration. If we are going to gain control over our borders. we must eliminate the incentive that brings illegal aliens to this country. the opportunity for employment. The bill also provides over $400 million in supplemental authorization funds for immigration enforcement and border patrol in both fiscal years 1987 and 1988. These supplemental funds should help the Immigration and Naturalization Service to increase Border Patrol personnel by 50 percent. Finally. Mr. President. I must say that I am somewhat disappointed in the final outcome of this bill. When we first considered the question of comprehensive immigration reform in the 97th Congress it was a truly comprehensive reform proposal that was before us. I wish the bill before us now was not so limited in scope. Thus. I believe that it is important in the next Congress that we consider issues such as judicial reform and summary deportation. which are not included in the bill before us now. But I understand how the scope of this immigration proposal became so limited and I will support the conference report as a step toward more comprehensive reform of our immigration laws. Again. I want to commend Senator SIMPSON for his efforts on this bill.