Speech #1040057019

Mr. President. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Immigration Enforcement Improvements Act of 1995. The approach to immigration policy reflected in the administrations proposal is thoughtful and comprehensive. and I applaud it. The Clinton administrations bill recognizes. as do the people of this Nation. 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 Nation regardless of the success of our border policy. The proposal also strives to improve our ability to deport those aliens that have been identified as deportable. To achieve each of these objectives the administration has proposed stern measures. and. in its fiscal year 1996 budget request. the commitment of substantial resources. yet. at the same time. the administrations proposal contains little that feeds the rampant antiimmigrant sentiment that has pervaded 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: this legislation 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 a great step in this direction.@