But. Mr. Chairman. we are here today debating the merits of expanding our national policy on immigrationof whether to encourago more people to come to this country. The problem with this debate. Mr. Chairman. is that we are not discussing ways to ensure that the costs of expanded immigration policies are distributed evenly across the Nation. Currently. border States In the South. Southwest. and West. including my own State of Florida. are being asked to shoulder the lions share of the cost of providing additional housing. medical assistance. education. and other basic services for the hundreds of thousands of Immigrants who arrive in this country every year. The strain on our State resources and personnel Is Intenseour budgets are already strappedwe cannot do much more. I commend my colleague from Florida. TOM LEWIS. for his insight Into the difficult situation confronting Floridas State officials. who are continuously scrambling to keep pace with the areas tremendous growth. And I urge my colleagues to support the gentlemans amendment. providing financial assistance to help the States cope with expanded Immigration policies. Expanding the opportunities for people to come to this country Is a worthy national goal. But that goal carries with it an enormous responsibilitynot just for a few States. but for the whole country.
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Immigration immigrationof immigration Immigrants