Speech #1040193599

Mr. Speaker. I was unable to be present for the floor debate on immigration reform due to business in my district. However. I would like to submit my views on H.R. 2202 for the RECORD. As a Califomlan. I am well aware of many of the problems and economic strains associated with illegal Immigration. However. we must not deter people. many who come here seeking freedom and opportunity. and many who have become productive citizens. from legally entering the United States. Many legal immigrants come to this country with a desire to work. Our challenge is to manage that flow rationally. H.R. 2202 is an extreme measure that not only attempts to stop illegals from crossing our bordersoften in unworkable and repressive ways--but also limits many of our family members such as sisters. brothers. parents. and adult children from joining us in America. This bill actually punishes legal residents and citizens by unreasonably restricting family reunification visas. It denies adult children and siblings of citizens and legal residentsmany who have waited years to enter the United States--the chance to reunite with their families in America. This change In law would unfairly punish families that depend on their loved ones. not the Government. for support. This bill also imposes anoual refugee caps. limiting the number of eligible refugee applications to 50.000 per yearthats almost half of the current number. These people may be terrorized by their government. and have no other recourse than to flee their nation. Under this legislation. refugees could be turned away If the immigration quota of 50.000 for that year has been filled. This is a disgrace for a nation with a solid tradition of immigration. and a history of being a refuge for those who flee terror and deprivation. I am disillusioned that some of my colleagues seek to make this bad bill worse by amending it to deny children an education. simply because they happen to be born to undocumented parents. Such a move would only further hurt an already disadvantaged child. It is absolutely cruel to punish innocent children for their parents decisions.