Speech #1020214068

All of the nine bills I have previously IntroducedH.R. 3438 through H.R. 3442. House Joint Resolution 357 and H.R. 3605. H.R. 4754 and H.R. 5625deal with the major causes of this illegal immigration crisis--inadequate Federal resources devoted to border control. widespread document fraud. generous Federal and State welfare and other benefit programs available to Illegal aliens. the hiring by employers of undocumented aliens for cheap labor. automatic birthright citizenship for babies born to illegal alien parents. the lack of programs in neighboring countries to stop smuggling of undocumented persons across the border. and the possibility of illegals voting for higher benefits and special treatment in local elections. This bill is aimed at eliminating another major incentive for illegal immigrationthe availability of free or cheap public housing for undocumented aliens and their families. Of course. I recognize that the No. 1 reason why immigrants enter this country illegally is economicthe poor economy and living conditions in their native lands and the desire for a job and a better life. Much as I sympathize with those who take this calculated risk. we cannot permit them to break our laws. No nation has immigration policies as liberal as our own. Every country has a right to control its own borders. and for us to condone widespread lawbreaking or to permit illegal aliens to profit from breaking the law would be to make a mockery of citizenship. our immigration policy. and our legal system. In principle. I have supported the concept of a North American FreeTrade Agreement because I believe its enactment could lead to more jobs and greater economic growth in both Mexico and the United States. thereby removing a powerful Incentive for the trek of illegal Immigrants across our border. However. I also recognize that the promise of economic benefits from such a treaty may be in the distant future. We cannot afford to do nothing but wait while millions of Illegals continue to pour into this country each year. adding to the economic and social problems already facing border area communities and many State and local governments. Action must be taken at all levels if we are to regain control over our borders and respect for our immigration laws. Although illegal aliens are. due to their unlawful status. ineligible for all Federal benefits. except for emergency and pregnancy assistance. some Federal agencies have Ignored or refused to enforce the letter of the law. Section 214 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 clearly prohibits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from providing financial assistance to undocumented aliens. Yet. there is substantial evidence that undocumented persons frequently and unlawfully occupy public housing dwellings in many metropolitan areas throughout the United States. Undocumented aliens cross our borders illegally in search of jobs and a place to live. Often they use forged documents to obtaln both. Sometimes they move In with relatives or friends who have entered this country legally and are public housing tenants. Whatever the cause. the presence of these illegal aliens In public housing Is unlawful and contrary to the protection of public health. safety and welfare. It also denies residence in taxpayersupported dwelling units to lowincome families of American citizens and legal immigrants In need of such accommodations. And the unlawful occupation of public housing by undocumented aliens frequently leads to overcrowding and unsanitary conditions. often accompanied by drug dealing and other illegal activities. which. in turn. destroy the quality of life for legal public housing tenants. As much as I admire Secretary Kemp and strongly support and approve of his stewardship at HUD. In my opinion. the Department of Housing and Urban Development lacks a clear and coherent policy toward this widespread illegal occupation of federally funded housing by undocumented aliens. The truth Is that many public housing units have become havens for criminals and drug traffickers. as well as overcrowded. often unhealthy and unsafe residences for illegal alien families. HUD has been lax in its enforcement policies. Although local public housing agencies have the authority to conduct annual inspections of these dwellings. with reasonable notice. and can enter the premises of tenants in public housing units without notice in the event of an emergency. there is no indication that such infrequent visits have had much of an impact on the presence of Illegal activities and unlawful occupancies. In fact. the evidence is that the situation in many public housing units is getting worse. contributing to the acute housing shortage prevalent in this country. especially among the working poor. Mr. Speaker. what is needed Is a policy requiring periodic Inspections by public housing officials. with the understanding that undocumented aliens are to be removed from public housing units where found. and the assurance that the presence of illegal aliens. like other unlawful findings. will be immediately reported to law enforcement and immigration authorities. We must be sure that those poor and needy American families seeking accommodations have ready access to public housing which is safe. sanitary and drug free. and that all taxpayerfunded residences are available only to qualified legal residents and are clear of illegal activities and unlawful occupants. Federal housing policy must ensure that undocumented aliens and other unwanted and undesirable persons do not escape detection and do not continue to occupy scarce public dwellings or utilize them for criminal activities and unlawful accommodations. There is no excuse for allowing undocumented aliens to occupy public housing units when poor working American citizens and their families must wait in long lines just to find a place to livel My bill would require that each public housing agency conduct an annual inspection of all dwelling units to determine whether undocumented aliens or illegal activity are present. If a public housing agency during its inspection finds an undocumented alien occupying a dwelling in public housing or If the agency has reason or probable cause to believe that a public housing unit or units are being unlawfully occupied by illegal immigrants. it must immediately notify the INS and request appropriate action. H.R. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled.