Speech #1040177597

Mr. Speaker. I would like to introduce a simple piece of legislation designed to fix a major flaw in U.S. immigration law. Over the past decade. the subject of immigration has captured the interest of the American people. This year. it has moved to the forefront of the political arena in Washington. DO. Major bills have been introduced in both the House and Senate to control illegal immigration and reform legal immigration. The bill I bring to the floor today is not a sweeping solution to our immigration woes. but a strong step in the right direction. From the time of our forefathers. U.S. immigration policy has provided the opportunity for millions of people to come to America to help us build the strongest. most prosperous democracy in the world. In more recent years. however. many have begun to take advantage of our open door policy. Today. some believe that immigration to the United States is a right instead of a privilege. The Immigration and Naturalization Service estimates that 300.000 people enter the United States illegally every year. and 3.8 million currently live in this country illegally. These people are taking advantage of American generosity and openness without regard for our laws or our principles. Mr. Speaker. that is not what America is all about. Illegal immigrants come to the United States at the expense of those who choose to play by the rules and come to America legally. Most Americans probably dont even know it. but our laws do not penalize individuals who