Mr. Chairman. there is a program of great concern to me which remains a problem within this bill. The deferral of funds to fiscal year 1993 for the State legalization impact assistance grants [SLIAG] will have an overwhelming effect on those States which have the largest influx of immigrants. This deferral will place a huge burden on the States to provide services for these immigrants. Under the landmark Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 Congress made a commitment to help the States with some of the costs associated with absorbing newly legalized aliens into their communities. The Federal Government has promised the States that it would share the financial responsibility for the costs of the Federal Governments decision to legalize millions of undocumented aliens. We should honor that commitment. Without SLIAG funds. health. welfare. and education services will be severely affected.
Keywords matched
undocumented Immigration immigrants