Speech #1040267331

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of the conference report on the immigration legislation and thank Chairman HYDE and Representative SMITH for their able stewardship of this comprehensive and farreaching reform bill. I also thank them for working so closely with the Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities on the areas of the bill that concern education. human service. and workplace issues within the jurisdiction of our committee. Mr. Speaker. this conference report represents a comprehensive approach to addressing the problem of illegal immigration that will ensure that this Nation can continue to welcome the hope and creativity that new voices can offer us while feeling secure that the wonderful opportunities that life here presents will continue to be available for generations. The legislation recognizes that one of the primaryit not the preeminentwinducements to illegal immigration is the availability of U.S. jobs. The fact of the matter is that this Nation will never be able to fully control its borders with law enforcement strategies alone. The immigration reform proposal also recognizes. however. the practical constraints on employers in policing the attempts of immigrants to illegally secure employment. Thus. the bill contains needed reforms in the worksite verification process and authorizes a workable pilot telephone verification system to allow employers to readily document which applicants for employment are legally authorized to work. The conference report recognizes as well the role that the availability of public benefits can play in inducing individuals to unlawfully enter or remain in the United States. I am pleased that the bill takes a strong stand to stem the tide of illegal immigration. Those who break the law to come here will not be allowed to receive taxpayersupported Federal benefits. They are barred and that is as it should be. I am also pleased that an agreement was reached to separately consider the Gallegly amendment on the education of illegal aliens. For some border States. like California. the education of illegal aliens costs $2 billion a year. For other States. its not a problem. It is reasonable for States to have the right to decide this issue. and well have the chance to consider a separate bill. H.R. 4134. on this matter. With respect to legal immigrants. I am pleased that the conferees saw the wisdom of continuing to make higher education student aid. school lunch and breakfast benefits. and elementary and secondary education benefits available. as under current law. without counting their sponsors income. In sum. Mr. Speaker. the conference report is an excellent piece of legislation that represents months of work by the relevant committees to define a set of policies that will confront the serious repercussions of illegal immigration. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to give it your strong support so we can send immigration legislation to the Presidents desk. where I believe it should and will receive his signature.