Mr. Speaker. today I would like to introduce a briefing paper submitted by a number of my constituents that was prepared by the Immigration Task Force of the League of United Latin American Citizens regarding the legalization Family Unification Acts of 1987. When Congress enacted the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. a serious flaw was included in the law that was ignored in the consideration of the bill and has not been corrected. Under current law. the Immigration and Naturalization Service can deport the spouse and children of aliens who apply for legalization if they personally have not been in the United States since January 1. 1982. The resulting effect of this provision is to encourage family separation and to discourage undocumented aliens who are eligible for legalization to come forward. which I am sure was not the intent of my colleagues when they passed the immigration reform measure. This is why I am pleased to be a cosponsor of the measures introduced by Congressman EDWARD ROYBAL. H.R. 1812 and H.R. 1813. the Family Unification Acts. which would waive the continuous residence requirement for the spouse and children of a qualified applicant for legalization.
Keywords matched
Naturalization Immigration immigration undocumented