Speech #1010216580

Chairman. I must rise in opposition to H.R. 4300. Though well intentioned. the Family Unity and Employment Opportunity Immigration Act of 1990 in my judgment would create more problems for American families and American workers than it would resolve. Essentially. this legislation is another amnesty program for those who have been in the United States illegally from 1982 until January 1. 1990. Many of us have constituents. who have come to the United States legally. who have used legal channels to bring their family members to the United States. who have patiently waited for visa numbers to become available. because they wanted to obey the laws of our country. Now. we have again decided to give amnesty to illegal aliens. to people who have circumvented our laws. not honored them. We have already legalized nearly 3.1 million illegal aliens who were residing in this country prior to 1982. Is it fair for those immigrants who have chosen the legal route to come to this country to see us once again swing the door of citizenship open to those who have scorned our laws? While we have added to the number of visas available to the secondspouses and children of permanent residentsand fifth preferenceunmarried brothers and sisters of U.S. citizenscatagories to help eliminate the huge backlogs of individuals waiting to legally come to the United States. this is only a stopgap provision. which will end after 5 years. What is to eliminate another huge backlog of applicants in the future? The majority of the costs of this program are being thrust upon the State and local governments. No provisions have been made for the Federal Government to share in the costs associated with enlarging the number of immigrants allowed to enter this country. estimates have shown that in the first year after implementation alone. State and local governments will spend approximately $3.8 billion in public welfare programs. food subsidies. housing. and education costs. With the countrys current budgetary problems can our States and local governments afford the costs of H.R. 4300? I agree that our current system of immigration needs to be improved. but. in my judgment H.R. 4300 is not a reform of the current immigration system. but simply an expansion of the current laws which allow for an increase in immigration by further extending amnesty to those who have come to the United States illegally. I feel this is not the way to go and that we have a long way to go If we want to make this legislation fair and equitable for all concerned. In its present form.