Speech #1040203011

That issue is a matter of fundamental justice and fairness in our society. and the fundamental issue of justice and fairness will not go away. I see a number of our colleagues on the floor who wish to address this issue. but I want to try to put this whole issue into some perspective. The question that is before the Senate deals with illegal immigration. That is the matter of greatest concern. These are individuals who violate the laws. effectively take American Jobs. come here unskilled and. in many instances. take scarce taxpayer dollars to support their various activities in this country. That is an entirely different profile from those who are legal immigrants. We will have an opportunity to debate that issue when we address the legal immigration. But I can tell you. the studies that have been done about what happens with legal immigration demonstrate these are hardworking people. overwhelmingly successful. They are contributors to our society. We ought to be debating today illegal immigration. The issues of families go to the core of legal immigration. The basic concept. in terms of what immigration policy has been about since the McCarranWalters Immigration Act is. No. 1. the reunification of families. The reunification of familiesthat has been No. 1.