Speech #1040191184

I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman. this amendment would totally undermine our efforts to stop illegal immigration. A vote for this amendment is a vote for continued illegal immigration. A vote for this amendment is a vote against protecting jobs for American citizens. In order to cut illegal immigration. controls at the border are not enough. Almost half of all illegal aliens come into this country legally and stay after their jobs. after their visas have expired. Why? Jobs. Jobs are the No. 1 attraction for illegal aliens coming to this country. If we can reduce the attraction of this magnet. we can save taxpayers untold millions of dollars and improve the prospects of vulnerable American workers now competing with illegal aliens for jobs. For the past decade. employers have checked the identity and work eligibility documents of new employees. Unfortunately. the easy availability of counterfeit documents has made a mockery of the law.