Speech #1040205884

Mr. President. before I commence my remarks on this specific amendment I will provide some context. I strongly support the efforts that have been made and that are being made in this legislation to stem the tide of illegal alien entry and continued presence in the United States of America. Clearly. it is a national responsibility delegated singularly to the Federal Government under our U.S. Constitution to protect our borders and assure that in all areas. including immigration. that we live by the rule of law and not by the rule of the jungle. What concerns me. from the State which has experienced the adverse effect of illegal aliens to a greater extent that any other State in the Nation has done so. and who feels so passionately about the national responsibility to enforce our laws and protect our borders. what concerns me is that in this legislation which is labeled. which has on its book jacket the phrase "illegal immigration." when you open the book. look at the individual chapters. there are significant provisions that do not relate to illegal immigration. We dealt with one of those provisions earlier this week when we eliminated the provision in the original bill that would have essentially terminated immediately the Cuban Adjustment Act. an act from 1966 to today which only is available to people who are in this country with legal status. That is not the only example in a book which has in its title "illegal immigration." Its chapters have provisions relating to people who are in here. having followed the law. having followed the rules. paying taxes. doing all the things that we expect of lawabiding residents within the United States. Most particularly. Mr.