Speech #1040201756

The first of those fault lines. and the two are related. Is that while this bill has as its label. Illegal Immigration. S. 1664 says in its heading. in its title. "To Amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to Increase Control Over Imrnigration to the United States by Increasing Border Patrol." et cetera. The focus of this bill is illegal immigration. The first fault line. however. Is that within this bill on illegal Immigration there are major provisions which affect legal aliens. either totally affect legal aliens or substantially affect legal aliens. To pick one specific example which I hope will be dealt with before we complete action on this legislation. this bill that purports to deal with illegal immigration would change the conditions under which persons who are in this country with a legal status are allowed to adjust that legal status. Since the early 1980s. the United States has recognized the special circumstances of Cubans coming to the United States and have had special provisions in which persons who were here legally of Cuban nationality can adjust their status. This bill. which purports to deal with illegal aliens would substantially restrict that right. This is only available to persons who are here legally. I cite that as just one example.