Speaker. I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2202 as amended. Although I have long been. and will continue to be. a supporter of many of the initiatives contained In the bill to fight illegal immigration. I must vote against the bill because of some of the more extreme provisions. In my home State of Texas. illegal immigration Is indeed a problem. and I support the strong border protection provisions of the legislation. I also want to acknowledge the Texan cosponsors of the bill. Mr. SMiTH and Mr. BRYANT. for their hard work in crafting this legislation. I was most gratified that the House adopted an amendment which removed the legal immigration provisions of the bill. which allows this distinct issue to be dealt with under separate legislation. The Senate has already moved to divide the legal and illegal provisions. and I believe this is the wisest course for this House to follow. For just a moment. I would like to comment about legal Immigration. I remain a strong supporter of legal immigration. which has a positive benefit on America. Not only does legal immigration assist our country culturally. it also helps our economy. Legal immigrants to the United States pay $25 billion a year more in taxes than they receive in services. Usually. immigrants are of working age. which explains their benefit to the overall economy. The United States admitted 7.5 million legal Immigrants In the 1980s. yet In that decade the unemployment rate fell. Legal immigrants begin business in this country. which employ Americans. In sum. legal immigration is a tradition in America which Improves our lives. With respect to the provisions of H.R. 2202. I have objections to the bill. which I hope can be worked out in conference. The House adopted a provision which will give States the option to deny public education to illegal aliens. This provision. which will be challenged in court and is likely unconstitutional. is meanspirited and does not advance the goals of the overall bill. These children that seek an education will now be turned away. while educators will be turned into Immigration and Naturalization Service workers. adding to their burden unnecessarily. And what will these children do? Does the House really expect something positive from turning children out of the school house and into the street?
Keywords matched
border protection Immigration immigration immigrants Naturalization illegal aliens Immigrants illegal immigration