Speech #1030135509

Mr. President. I rise to introduce today the Comprehensive Immigration and Asylum Reform Act of 1994. This measure addresses so many of the various serious immigration and asylum problems which have been "the stuff of headlines" and debate in this country for the past year and much longer. As jobless rates remain high. and as State and local governments struggle with the cost of education. public assistance. and health care. and as there is great stress on the criminal justice system during these times of economic pain. we frequently hear in frustration. that "something must be done" about immigrationlegal and illegal. There are many studies and many opinions on the economic costs and benefits of immigration. Some believe we should have open borders. I happen to think that is about the most absurd viewpoint that could ever be expressed. because the first duty of a sovereign nation is to control its borders. Some feel there should be no limit on the number of immigrants we could admit to our benefit. Others argue that immigration. legal and illegal. is costing State and local governments billions of dollars every year in publicfunded services. I believe that legal immigration has been and can continue to be of great benefit to the United States. but only if the newcomers can be comfortably absorbed into the American community. I do not want to got into flash words like "assimilation" and "make them do the American thing" and all of the stuff that comes with hyphenated Americanism in these times. Immigrants can be comfortably absorbed in reasonable numbers if they come here to become "Americans" just as others have always come before themto understand. accept. and support the democratic institutions and the laws. principles. values. traditions. and spirit which reflect the American character. That is not corny to say. I have always referred to that as our "public culture." in order to distinguish it from the individuals "private culture" of their own religions. their ways. and their customs which reflect the remarkable diversity of our immigrants and which all other Americans should fully respect. But. indeed. those who come to our land should respect our public culture. a common flag. a common language. These are not racist things.