Speech #1010217349

Mr. Chairman my amendment today attempts to address the costs that State and local governments have and will continue to incur through the administration of Federal immigration policies. Since the enactment of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. State and local governments have been forced to shoulder the burden of Federal immigration policythis is policy for which they literally possess no control. This amendment will authorize $500 million for each of fiscal years 1991 through 1996 in order to reimburse States for the costs incurred due to the participation of certain legal immigrants in social programs of cash and medical assistance. and in local educational programs. The funds will be allocated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services through a formula established by the Secretary. While this amendment will by no means completely cover the immigration costs incurred by the States. it will begin to address those costs. This amendment will also assist the Federal Government in documenting the expenses State and local governments incur due to Federal immigration policies. In a recent study performed by the Center for Immigration Studies it is expected that H.R. 4300 will result in the projected settlement of 1.642.000 immigrants. refugees. asylees. and parolees in its first year of enactment. 1991. Mr. Chairman. this is an estimated 8.1 million new settlers by 1995. The study estimated that public primary and secondary education programs would incur costs totaling $1.5 billion for an estimated immigrant public school population of 289.000 just in 1991. This estimate does not include costs attributable to illegal immigrants. As an example of the effects H.R. 4300 will have on my State of Florida. should this legislation be enacted. it is expected to contribute an additional 500.000 immigrants to Floridas population in the next 5 years. Using a conservative estimate of $2.000 per immigrant for needed services. the cost to Florida taxpayers over the next 5 years is $1 billion. The citizens of the State of Florida. as well as California. Texas. and other States that are heavily impacted by this legislation can no longer afford to bear the burden of this immigration policy. Mr. Chairman. the question on this amendment is not whether to open our borders for increased immigration to the United States. This amendment addresses the question of whether or not States can continue to administer the basic educational and medical programs that must be extended to the citizens of the States as well as the immigrants in that State. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment that will assist State and local governments in their attempts to meet the educational and medical needs of legal immigrants covered in H.R. 4300.