Speech #1040192540

In fairness. this bill is more acceptable now than It was when it first came to the floor on Tuesday. Several of my principal concerns have been addressed. In particular. adoption of the ChryslerBerman amendment deleting unneeded reforms to our system of legal immigration has put this bill back on track to addressing the primary immigration problem which our constituents have identifiedillegal immigration. In addition. the change under the managers amendment allowing for the filing of asylum petitions within 180 days instead of the 30 days in the original bill recognizes the concern which I and others had expressed regarding the impossibility for most people of filing a complete claim In 30 days. Finally. adoption of the SchiffSmith amendment removing caps on annual refugee admissions restores the humaneness of U.S. refugee policy and assures necessary flexibility to respond to global events. I regret that the same humaneness and compassion is not reflected in the provisions In this bill dealing with children. To allow States the option to deny an illegal alien child. who cannot be held responsible for his or her presence in this country. the right to an education is not only unconstitutional. but also cruel to the child and counterproductive for our communities. What is the point of the Constitution if we are to decide that States may opt out of assuring its guarantees? The same can be said for the bills provisions denying Medicaid. AFDC. and food stamps to U.S. citizen children whose parents are illegal aliens. Failure of the House to adopt the Velizquez amendment relegates these Americans to second class status. I hope these provisions will be removed In conference.