Speech #1000043832

I addressed myself to the draft regulations proposed by the Department of Agriculture on the Special Agricultural Workers Program and the need for the Department to reevaluate them. Earlier this week. I wrote to the Secretary of Labor expressing my opposition to portions of the regulations issued to implement the H2A program under the Immigration Act because they would devastate agriculture in this country. Additional areas require attention. One is the effective date for implementing the employer sanctions provision of the act. A first offense under the act makes an employer who knowingly hires illegal aliens subject to a fine of up to $2.000 per illegal alien hired. Employers are also required to keep records on all employees hired after December 1. 1986. Failure to do this properly can result in a $1.000 fine.