Speech #1040190527

But let me mention something that most Members probably are not aware of that this amendment does not do. Here we have again an amendment that treats classes of people differently. If you happen to be here through a visitors visa or a student visa. you have come into this country legally. You entered with proper documentation and the authority of this country to be here. If you overstay the tenure of that visa. whatever the term may be. then you have now become undocumented because you no longer have a right to be In this country. Yet this particular amendment does not address that problem. Is it a big problem? More than 50 percent of all the people that are in this country as undocumented come into this country legally. They they overstay their visas and do not return. and then they become undocumented individuals. Yet this amendment would do nothing to those individuals who have come into the country under legal means. yet overstayed and are now undocumented. Here again we seem to see an amendment that attacks the issue with a very small perspective. with blinders. and says only to those who have crossed a border. and certainly the focus is on the southern border. and certainly it is in regard to people who look like they come from across the southern border. and its says to those individuals. "Forever more you will be denied access to this country." Admittedly. you committed a wrong. and everyone should admit that. and that person should be punished. not only with deportation but with punishment that would require that person not be able to come into this country for a time. But this amendment goes well beyond ar.d says never again will you set foot in this country regardless of how compelling your case is to perhaps at some point come back. At the same time while it is doing this as dramatically to this one individual. this immigrant. in denying him or her access. it says to fully 50 percent or more of those who are undocumented into this country. that they do not have to worry about this amendment because it will not apply. I think that is not only unfair treatment but unwise policy. I would urge Members to reject this amendment and vote against it.