Speech #1030109679

I understand Senator ExoNs concern in offering his amendment. and I am pleased he has agreed to this compromise. There is a good deal of misinformation about this isdue. Current law already denies illegal aliens access to Federal benefits. except in a few narrow categories which have specifically been authorized by Congress or mandated by the Supreme Court. This amendment carries forward current law. As a result of the immigration debates of the past several years. particularly during our consideration of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Congress has already implemented a series of measures to strengthen our laws denying access to Federal programs by illegal aliens. First and foremost is the SAVE Program. in which the Immigration Service Is mandated to determine whether an alien applying for benefits is lawfully in the United States and is eligible for those benefits. That program is working well in communities across the country. Second. the only benefits that illegal aliens now qualify for are emergency medical services. or programs for school childrenwhich the Supreme Court has ruled they must be eligible to receive as part of public education in the United States. Thus. Medicaid benefits are available. but only for emergency services.