Speech #1000043851

Mr. President. I rise in opposition to Senator SIMPsoNs amendment to delete the provisions requiring a 4month delay in the implementation of the employer sanctions provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. It is clear that this delay is warranted in light of the many problems which have been encountered in the implementation of the act. The Immigration Reform and Control Act represents compromises which were reached after long hours of negotiations both here in the Senate and in the House. Many of us had grave concerns regarding the burdens the employer sanctions provisions would place on employers and the threat that these sanctions would lead to increased discrimination against Hispanics. Asians. and other foreignlooking individuals. We were also doubtful that the acts legalization program would succeed unless adequate assurance could be given to longtime undocumented workers to cause them to risk their security by coming forward and revealing themselves to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Now. with the May 5 commencement of the 1year legalization application period and the fastapproaching June 1 termination date for the "education" period for employersduring which employers are not subject to sanctionswe find that this effort may fail to achieve the results intended. Across the country there are reports of light turnouts of applicants for legalization and of anxiety in the undocumented community that the cost and risks associated with legalization may not be worth the indefinite chance of obtaining legal status. With regard to the employer sanctions provisions. I share Senator DECoNcINIs perspective that there has been an inadequate effort to educate employers regarding their responsibilities under the new law and that if the sanctions provisions were to go into effect as scheduled. we would see additional confusion and discriminatory behavior.