Speech #1030006734

I want to talk about the notion that the people who may be let into this country can become wards of the State. The proponents of the Nickles amendment have stated that this is an absolute certainty. I want to set aside the issue we face with the Haitian refugees because that is a very unusual situation that has to be dealt with. But under current immigration laws. immigrants and visitors are subjected to exclusion. meaning they cannot come into this country if they are. and I am quoting from the law. "likely at any time to become a public charge." Let me repeat that. Under the current law that is supported by our President. Bill Clinton. and by his Secretary of HHS. Immigrants and visitors are subjected to exclusion from this country if they are "likely at any time to become a public charge." Thus if cost is really the issue here. it is addressed by the public charge provision of the existing law. and that law is enforced by the attorney general. In addition. Mr. President. all foreign visitors and immigrants must meet dotailed financial eligibility criteria and anyone who does not meet those criteria is precluded from visiting or immigrating to the United States of America. The policy put forward by Senator NICKLES and Senator HELMS and others has also been a barrier to the international exchange of information. particularly regarding HIV. HIVpositive delegates to the 1990 International Conference on AIDS in San Francisco who wanted to share their experience. their wisdom. their ideas. their research. risked being turned away at the borders.