Speech #1010042202

I think a case can also be made not to alter or change the fifth preference. After a good deal of consideration. we have retained the current fifth preference system. So this legislation does not cut family reunification. And it maintains the current fifth preference. This legislation does not restrict future growth of immigration through the imposition of a cap. Since procedures are provided to review and adjust the level every 3 years. the President and a specially created. independent commission must review the effects of immigration on our country and recommend changes in the national level of immigration. and Congress may act expeditiously to deal with those changes under special parliaJuky 11. 1989 mentary procedures established by the statute. We have attempted in this legislation to do what very few of our committees do. and that is to put in a modified sunset provision. to require the Senate and Congress to revisit this issue. We think that is appropriate. because we have seen immigration patterns change. and it has been a historical fact that this institution. as an institution. has not been willing to come to grips with immigration issues very often. We felt. given our experience in this area over a number of years. that it was important to assure that this institution will more consistently revisit and reexaming immigration problems. Mr. President. this bill does not reduce the flexibility to meet changing immigration requirements. since no number. no level. no category of immigration will be allowed to become frozen in law and remain unchanged from decade to decade. as has been the case historically. These are the goals we believe our bill accomplishes and which we hope will earn. once again. the support of the Senate. We must pick up where Congress left off in 1986 and finally address the unfinished agenda of immigrationthe reform of our legal immigration system. Our bill preserves the immigration rights of those who have close family connections in this country. while stimulating immigration from the earlier sources of immigration to our country that contributed so much to America in the past. Mr. President. these reforms are long overdue.