Speech #1020136430

Known as the Taxpayer Protection Act of 1992. the Governors proposal would remove one incentive for those Individuals who come to California attracted by its reputation as the Golden State for generous welfare benefits. In addition to limiting AFDC grants for newcomers to the level they received in their home States. the initiative contains powerful work incentives so that ablebodied recipients who fail to find gainful employment will suffer major cutbacks In benefits. As welcome as this bold program will be In a State facing major budgetary problems. it fails to remedy the serious problem posed by illegal aliens. As Ms. Saunders points out: "Illegal aliens can slip over the border and receive free prenatal care. When their children are born in the United Stateson the U.S. taxpayers dimethose children become citizens and automatically can be enrolled for AFDC. With half of the Nations illegal Immigrants and a third of all refugees. California already shoulders a large burden. And as the economy sours. hurting Immigrants who came here to work. the number of citizen children of illegal parents on AFDC in Los Angeles County alone rose from 97.665 In February 1991 to 121.042 in November. "Meanwhile. the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 Is about to increase the number of immigrant adults eligible for benefits." One report estimates that there may be over 100.000 additional persons on AFDC after May 1992 and May 1993. when provisions expire that prohibit adult applicants for citizenship under the amnesty program from themselves receiving benefits. Clearly the welfare costs facing my home State will escalate so long as citizen taxpayers are forced to pay for AFDC and other welfare benefits and services for illegal aliens and their Americanborn offspring. This Is a problem which threatens to overwhelm not only California. but all border States and other States to which Illegal aliens are moving increasingly in search of refuge. scarce employment opportunities. and public assistance. Mr. Speaker. I have Introduced legislation designed to rectify this growing problem. I call my colleagues attention especially to House Joint Resolution 357 and H.R. 3605. which would restrict automatic birthright citizenship to persons bern In the United States of legalresdent mothers. and to H.R. 3441. which would stop the payment of Federal welfare benefits to Illegal aliens. Now is the time for action If we are to save State and local governments from budgetary disaster attributable In large measure to Illegal Immigration and to persons whose Illegal status should bar them from takIng unfair advantage of our generous welfare system. Mr. Speaker.