Speech #1040267209

TONY. we will miss you next year and all your work you have done for not only our district. but the people of California. and the people of our country. Mr. Speaker. there is a consensus that illegal immigration is a national problem that needs to be addressed. I believe our immigration laws need to be strengthened. But this conference agreement ignores the real reasons for illegal immigration and does little to protect American jobs. The reason people are in our country illegally is not to go to school. it is to get a job. A successful control of illegal immigration requires comprehensive efforts not only to police our borders. but also to effectively reduce the incentives to employ illegal immigrants. The bill has serious deficiencies in regard to employment and work site enforcement. The conference report does not contain the Senate provision that would authorize 350 additional enforcement staff for the Department of Labor. Wage and Hour Division. to enhance worksite enforcement of our laws. This conference report does not contain the Senate provision authorizing enhanced civil penalties for employers who violate the employment sanctions and specified labor laws. Higher penalties would also serve to reduce the incentives to employ and thereby deter illegal immigration. This conference report does not contain the Senate provision that would have provided subpoena authority to the Secretary of Labor to carry out enforcement responsibilities under this act. Even though I served on the conference committee. and I was honored to do so. I nor other Democrats were given the opportunity to offer amendments to correct these deficiencies: We will have real immigration reform when we as Democrats are not locked out of the process. Is this bill better than no bill? Maybe. But the people of America want something that will stop illegal immigration. This will not stop it. It may be better than the status quo because of the additional border patrol. but it does not go as far as the American people want it to go to deter illegal immigration. That is why this is not the panacea that you may hear from the other side of the aisle. It is an election year gimmick to say we passed immigration reform. but we have not.