Speech #1010042334

Furthermore. a limited definition overwhelmingly passed the Senate in 1983 and in 1988. These measures passed because Senators realized that we must set priorities. As Senators KENNEDY and SIMPSON have stated on several occasions. we should give priority to those Immigrants who are the closest family members to American citizens. I agree. for example. that spouses and children of permanent residents should be given priority over brothersinlaw. That is why my bill keeps a limited definition of the fifth preference and doubles the number of second preference visas. Another reason to limit the fifth preference is because there are tremendous backlogs of immigrants in this category. Over 1.5 million people are waiting for their number to come up. This causes long delaysup to 20 years in some casesand fosters illegal immigration. As Senator KENNEDY correctly states. this creates "an illusory and false hope of family reunification." Mr. President. we do not need an immigration policy that creates false hope. The second major aspect of my amendment addresses the business visas. Mr. President. I agree with Senators KENNEDY and SIMPSON that we must strive for an immigration policy that is based on "the needs of the country." A recent Department of Labor study entitled "Workforce 2000" made a detailed assessment of what our labor needs will be over the next two decades. The report concluded that we will experience a shortage in skilled workers and that we need policies that facilitate the immigration of skilled workers. My amendment addresses the needs of our country by increasing employersponsored visasthird and sixth preferencesby 37.200. without increasing the overall national level and without reducing the number of fifth preference visas. Other amendments may be offered to increase the number of employersponsored visas. but they also increase the overall national level. The primary sponsors of the bill have indicated they will oppose any effort to increase the overall national level. The third preference allows an employer to bring in professionals who are in short supply. or people with exceptional abilities. Under the sixth preference. an employr can bring in skilled workers who are in short supply. The underlying bill made a new requirement. third preference immigrants would have to have an advanced degree. This is unnecessary. so my amendment drops that additional requirement. Mr. President. I think we need a policy that encourages people with skills and exceptional abilities to come to our country. Unfortunately. our present system discourages them from immigrating because there is a 1- to 3year wait to get a third or sixth preference visa. As a result. American companies have difficulty recruiting highly skilled workers who have crucial knowledge of International markets and pioneer research. If there is a shortage of skilled workers In a particular profession. the business loses the competitive edge waiting 3 years to bring in someone to fill the slot. The additional numbers for employersponsored visas in my bill will help reduce the delays for immigrants with skills or exceptional ability. This will allow businesses to find enough skilled workers and thereby maintain a competitive position in international markets. Mr. President. skillbased. employersponsored visas only account for a small percentage of the overall number of visas. Only 10 percent are skillbased. whereas 90 percent are based on family connections. In case there is any doubt. there are several safeguards that ensure American jobs will not be displaced by these increases. For example. before a person can be admitted under a third or sixth preference visa. the Department of Labor must determine that there is a labor shortage in the particular field and that the business cannot find an American skilled worker to fill the slot. In the alternative. under the third preference. they must determine that the potential immigrant is a member of a profession with "exceptional abilities." Mr. President. as we debate the issue of legal immigration. we must keep one fundamental concept in mindfor America to remain a great country. we must have an immigration policy based on the needs of our country and focused on what is in the best interest of the Nation as a whole. I urge Senators to support my amendment when the vote occurs tomorrow morning. I reserve the remainder of my time.