Speech #1030109541

I think. be cognizant of the broad reach. the wide net of the language of this amendment and the untoward effect that may result from it. If we pass laws here that have the effect of dumping further responsibilities on the States to handle because they have to deal with reality. we can stand here and talk about the general concept forever. and that does not address the specific realities that State and local governments have to deal or the specific reality with regard to individuals. A child of an illegal immigrant who has cholera could well be the source of great damage and harm to a whole community. That childs illness could have been prevented. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We might have been able to prevent that but for language as broad as this amendment. Similarly. a prisoner In a prison who it happens turns out to be an illegal immigrant. the State winds up paying for that. I think we estimated it was in Illinois $19.000 per person. The Statp will have to absorb that cost because of language as broad as this.