Mr. Speaker. the recent changes in United States policy concerning Haitian boatpeople does not reduce the need to prepare for a future Influx of immigrants into south Florida. As you know. in 1986. Congress passed the immigration revolving fund. which I introduced. It protects States like Florida from facing excessive immigrantinduced financial burdens. I was determined not to let Floridas taxpayers face another immigration emergency like the 1980 Mariel boatlift when 125.000 Cubans arrived on Floridas shores. The boatlift cost the State of Florida $400 million. My proposal eventually became section 113 of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. It permits States to receive up to $35 million in Federal assistance If they face an immigration emergencyabout $31 million after the recent rescission. This money is to reimburse them for money they already spent absorbing immigrants. However. the President must declare that an Immigration emergency exists before the money becomes available. I repeatedly have asked President Bush to exercise his authority under the law so that Florida can gets its long overdue reimbursement. Until the President declares such an emergency. and I am sorry he has not especially since reasonable people know what constitutes an emergency. the welfare of the citizens of south Florida will continue to be threatened. Its well past time the Federal Government did something. The people of Florida deserve better. The fund was authorized to help States overburdened by immigration problems. Let us put it to its intended use. The Miami Herald concurs with the need to prepare for an immigration emergency. For the benefit of my colleagues. I am including the papers editorial at the end of my remarks.
Keywords matched
immigrantinduced immigration immigrants Immigration