Speech #1010249416

Mr. BROOKS. the gentleman from Connecticut Mr. [MORRISON]. and members of the Rules Committee for their diligent efforts late last night to return this measures to the floor today. Thanks to your work and commitment. major immigration reform will become a reality in the 101st Congress. I rise in strong support of the conference report on S. 358. an agreement which marks the most comprehensive revision of immigration law in 66 years. Under the new law. the number of visas granted each year will increase to 700.000 between 1992 and 1994. before dropping to 675.000 annually beginning in 1995. The measures most significant increase comes in the number of visas for family reunification. the cornerstone of immigration to the United States. The present policy runs contrary to our most deeply held values by prolonging the separation of spouses from each other and from their children. Under the agreement. more than half the visas. 465.000 for the first 3 years and 480.000 thereafter. would be set aside for the close relatives of U.S. citizens and permanent residents. This is sound public policy that provides for the swift reunification of close family members. The bill also Increases. from 54.000 to 140.000. the number of immigrants allowed entry on the basis of their occupational skills. a provision designed. to supplement the threatening labor shortage and provide a needed shot in the arm to our national economy. The measure breaks new ground by setting aside 40.000 visas for persons from over 30 countries that have been virtually shut out by current law. In 1995. the figure will rise to 55.000 and the list will extend to more nations. The agreement also eliminates onerous and discriminatory aspects of the McCarrenWalter Act of 1954 which banned entry to the United States on the basis of homosexuality and ideology. In response to the dispute over AIDS and Immigration. the measure gives the Department of Health and Human Services the power to remove AIDS from the list of diseases for which a visitor maybe excluded. The Bush administration now must act expeditiously on this newly granted power. The agreement includes some very important provisions affecting Illegal aliens. Under the measure. immigrants from El Salvador would have deportation and detention orders suspended for 18 months. The agreement also provides for a temporary stay of deportation and provides for a work authorization for spouses and children of individuals who were legalized under IRCA in 1986. The measure addresses the employer sanctions imposed under IRCA by repealing these provisions for recruiters and job referral agencies. This is a step in the right direction. but the only way to truly eliminate the pernicious discrimination caused by these sanctions is to repeal them completely. Mr. Speaker. lets spread democracy and freedom the best way this nation can: By opening our shores and allowing others to experience the American dream. I urge my colleagues to join me In supporting the Immigration Act before us.