Speech #1040192543

I rise today in support of the Immigration In the National Interest Act. H.R. I am pleased that we are finally addressing one of the most important problems facing America today. I am of course referring to the issue of Immigration reform. As I have traveled around my District over the last few weeks from senior centers to Main Street the one issue about which people have repeatedly expressed concern is our failed immigration policy. These visits with my constituents reinforce my belief that we must institute common sense immigration reforms. The United States of America has always been known as a land of Immigrantsthe melting pot or In todays climate of political correctness. "the tossed salad" of the world. Over the last 200 years. millions of families have traveled thousands of miles to embrace opportunities found only in America. In fact. my grandparents traveled from Italy to settle in North Jersey where they built a successful business. raised four children and truly fulfilled the American dream. Unfortunately. we have gotten away from the brand of immigration represented by my grandparents and others of that proud generation. Today. illegal immigration and fraudulent legal immigration runs rampant through our system. Mr. Speaker. nearly 20 percent of the legal immigrants in this country are on welfare. Furthermore. onequarter of all federal prisoners are illegal aliens. Does this sound like an Immigration policy that is operating at 100 percent efficiency. Mr. Speaker? I think not. Neither did the bipartisan Commission on Immigration Reform headed by the late Barbara Jordan. The Commission concluded. "The United States must have a more credible Immigration policy that deters unlawful Immigration while supporting our national Interest in immigration." As a member of the Congressional Task Force on Immigration. I strongly support the commissions findings. H.R. 2202 is a strong. but fair bill. Mr. Speaker. It establishes a positive framework to prevent illegal aliens from feeding at the public trough. I do not believe it is extreme to stop the flow of federal taxpayer dollars to illegal immigrants. Mr. Speaker. enactment of H.R. 2202 would reduce illegal immigration by 50 percent over the next 5 years. By stemming the tide of illegal immigration now. we will preserve American jobs for Americans. In fact. this legislation may be the most projob and profamily bill we consider in the 104th Congress. Some of my colleagues In this body would like to separate legal Immigration reform from illegal immigration reform. I. on the other hand. do not believe that we can address one problem without fixing the other. H.R. 2202 Is a family friendly bill that does not attempt to deprive members of the Immediate family of legal residents from relocating to the United States. This legislation recognizes the Importance and strength of family relationships by providing no annual limitation to the Immigration of Immediate family members to citizens of the United States. In fact. H.R. 2202 will allow more legal immigrants into the United States on an annual basis than we have admitted 60 of the last 65 years. In short. Mr. Speaker. H.R. 2202 places more emphasis on proactive measures that eliminate the incentives to illegally enter the country. while still providing ample room for immigrants who truly desire to pursue the American dream. In closing. I urge my colleagues to support this much needed immigration reform.