Speech #1000112707

Mr. President. we are now almost half way through the Legalization Programthe socalled immigration amnestymandated under last years landmark new immigration law. I think we all acknowledge that without the tireless leadership of Senator SIMPSON. the Senate sponsor. as well as Chairman RODINO. Congressman MAZZOLI. and others in the House. we would never have arrived at this point. The Immigration and Naturalization Service informs me that they anticipate at the halfway mark of the 1year legalization effortwhich we will reach on November 6over 1 million legalization applications will have been received. This is a milestone which we should all pause and celebrate and for which the Immigration Service is to be commended for the public education effort which it has conducted thus far. But we are only half way there. and there is much work yet to be done. Common sense suggests that those with simple. straightforward applications would come forward first. The Immigration and Naturalization Service now is going to be faced increasingly with the more complex or difficult cases which will take considerable time and counseling. My amendment anticipates this inevitable transition in the complexity of the legalization program. As mandated in last years immigration bill. applicantsparticularly those with timeconsuming casesshould be aware of the availability of legalization assistance for voluntary agencies and other church and community groups. There are many within the Immigration Service who agree that these community groups should be mentioned in the ongoing public education campaign for the Legalization Program. I think its important that the Immigration Service receive instruction from the Congress on this matter in order to erase any doubt that this is the direction in which we should proceed. It would be my intent that not only should the community groups be mentioned in the public education materials. but that these groupsboth nationally and locallybe consulted regarding their content. After all. these voluntary agencies already have an official relationship with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. They have been reviewed by the Immigration Service and designated by the Attorney General. under a procedure required in the new immigration law. as qualified to assist persons in completing their legalization applications. My amendment would require no additional funding. It simply provides needed instruction to the Immigration Service that. consistent with the provisions of last years new law. the role of voluntary agencies should be highlighted at this critical time. And I urge my colleagues to support it.