Speech #1040253746

This provision is a mistake. and I will work to correct it. Second. I am deeply disappointed that the congressional leadership insisted on attachIng to this extraordinarily important bill a provision that will hurt legal immigrants in America. people who work hard for their families. pay taxes. serve in our military. This provision has nothing to do with welfare reform. It is simply a budgetsaving measure. and it is not right. These immigrant families with children who fall on hard times through no fault of their ownfor example because they face the same risks the rest of us do from accidents. from criminal assaults. from serious illnessesthey should be eligible for medical and other help when they need it. The Republican majority could never have passed such a provision standing alone. You see that In the debate in the immigration bill. for example. over the Gallegly amendment and the question of education of undocumented and illegal immigrant children. This provision will cause great stress for states. for localities. for medical facilities that have to serve large numbers of legal immigrants. It Is just wrong to say to people. well let you work here. youre helping our country. youll pay taxes. you serve in our military. you may get killed defending Americabut If somebody mugs you on a street corner or you get cancer or you get hit by a car or the same thing happens to your children. were not going to give you assistance any more. I am convinced this would never have passed alone and I am convinced when we send legislation to Congress to correct It. it will be corrected. In the meantime. let me also say that I intend to take further executive action directing the INS to continue to work to remove the bureaucratic roadblocks to citizenship to all eligible. legal immigrants. I will do everything in my power. in other words. to make sure that this bill lifts people up and does not become an excuse for anyone to turn their backs on this problem or on people who are generally In need through no fault of their own. This bill must also not let anyone off the hook.