Speech #1010216611

Mr. r ICHARDSON. Mr. Chairman. it is critical that we base our immigration policy and position on H.R. 4300 on the full understanding of the benefits stemming from healthy immigration. A fundamental question we all must ask is: In an era of increasing global competition. where America must compete for its share of international markets. are we going to allow outdated assumptions and nativism to hinder our progressour growth? The myths and misconceptions surrounding this issue must be addressed and corrected. Immigrants do not cause unemployment. The overwhelming conclusion of economic studies on this issue is that immigration does not cause unemployment. In fact. immigrants create jobs by expanding markets and purchasing power. Furthermore. immigrants have a higher rate of entrepreneurship than the nonimmigrant population. By starting businesses. immigrants create jobs. Immigrants do not drain public assistance programs. Immigrants typically arrive when they are young and in their prime working years. Elderly immigrants are not eligible for Social Security. Further studies have shown immigrant families pay $2.500 into public coffers every year. Immigrants provide the United States with a skilled and educated work force. Immigrants are more likely to have postgraduate degrees than the nonimmigrant U.S. population. Finally. it is critical to consider the family reunification provisions of this legislation. Under present law. children and spouses of new legalized immigrants are subject to deportation. This was never the intent of Congress and it should be corrected. This bill also addresses the issue of backlog for those separated families awaiting visas. The present backlog presents a 10year waiting period for permanent residents from Mexico and other nations. This legislation would reduce the backlog and assure fairness in the processing of these visas. [From the Washington Post. Sept. 1. 1990]