Speech #1040017342

Madam President. the administration has come under much criticism lately for its alleged failure to provide leadership on issues that are important to the nation. The 1996 Immigration Initiative announced by the administration this week. however. belies these contentions. The administrations policy proposal on this extremely important issue is thoughtful and comprehensive. and I applaud it. The administrations initiative recognizes. as do the people of this country. the need to formulate an effective response to the problem of Illegal immigration. and proposes increased resources not only for border enforcement. but also increased resources to eliminate the job magnet that will continue to draw undocumented aliens into the country regardless of the success of our border policy. The initiative also reflects a desire to improve our ability to deport those aliens that have been identified as deportable. and to assist States that have long borne the burdens of our inability to prevent illegal immigration. For each of these objectives the administration has proposed the commitment of substantial resources. yet. at the same time. the initiative contains little that unnecessarily feeds the antiimmigrant xenophobia that has characterized the immigration policy debate in recent years. Rather. the administrations proposal takes a measured yet aggressive approach to the problems we must face. In short. while it has taken an undeniably firm stance against illegal Immigration. the administration has not succumbed to the belief that immigration in all Its shapes and forms is a bad thing. Quite the contrary: the Initiative reflects the fact that. as the President has said. an effective immigration policy must combine deterrence of illegal immigration with an encouragement and celebration of legal immigration. I look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues in the Senate to effect this delicate balance. and to implement an immigration policy that is both tough and fair. The administrations proposal is certainly a great step in this direction.