Speech #1010043821

I thank my friend from Nebraska. a journeyman who came here when I did in the U.S. Senate. I understand the amendment would firmly prohibit the provision of any welfare benefits to persons who are in the United States in an illegal immigration status. I am certain that many Members are asking why this amendment might be necessary since most welfare programs already require the beneficiaries be in legal immigration status. but there is a loophole in current law that has been created by a number of court decisions which allows welfare benefits to be provided to aliens in the United States who are here "permanently residing under color of law." which is a peculiar enough phrase in itself. Thus. if the Immigration Service has not taken final action in deporting someone even if the alien does not have a proper legal immigration status. an alien may not be denied certain welfare benefits. So I think this situation has frustrated many of our colleagues who are trying to control costs in the important area of entitlements. We will vote on a debt limit extension in a few days of $3.2 trillion.