Speech #1040192264

I thank the gentleman very much. and I would like to place. Mr. Chairman. a personal face on this whole question of legal immigration. I rise in support of the separation in this legislation of legal immigration from illegal immigration. Claudia Gonzales left her family in Houston as a teenager to care for her grandparents In Mexico. She rejoined her family in Houston at age 23 where she has begun a new job and is attending school. Mr. Chairman. under this bill. legal residents would be prohibited from sponsoring their sons and daughters over the age of 21. hardworking sons and daughters. The adult children could be deportable or have no preferential treatment in gaining legal residency. Claudias father said. who has lived here since 1967: I have worked hard here and pay taxes. What am I going to say to my son 21 and my daughter who Is 23? Mr. Chairman. that is the real face of legal immigrants. hardworking taxpayers. I offered a bill that would have allowed parents to be brought here. Now we have a situation where parents and children cannot be united. Mr. Chairman. I clearly think with all respect to those who worked so hard on this issue. we would do well to pay respect to hardworking legal immigrants and to acknowledge that it is now time to separate the legislation and treat illegal immigration separately. Mr. Chairman. I rise today in support of the ChryslerBermanBrownbackCraneDooleyDavis amendment. which would strike the parts of title Vsubtitles A. B. and Cthat would virtually prevent American citizens from sponsoring their adult children. siblings. and parents. reduce Americas support for refugees. and place additional experience requirements that will complicate companies ability to hire skilled foreign scientists and engineers. The current legal immigration system is specifically designed to strengthen families by reuniting close family members and fueling prosperity by attracting hardworking Individuals. We must not abandon these principles. At a time when strong family bonds are more important than ever. restrictions in family based immigration will hurt legal Immigrant families in America. It is disturbing to think that Government policy will keep such families. even parents and their children. apart just because a child is older than 21 years of age. Energetic young people. about to enter the work force. are exactly the type of new Americans that complement the existing work force.