Speech #1040267332

Mr. Speaker. as the daughter of a legal immigrant father who fled Nazi Germany. I understand the strength that legal immigration has brought to America. I regret that provisions unfairly targeting legal immigrants have been added to this bill. But I firmly believe that we must act now to stop illegal immigration. and so I rise in support of H.R. 2202. the Immigration in the National Interest Act. which tackles many of the tough issues around illegal immigration. and speaks to one of our fundamental values: that all of us have to live and work by the same set of rules. As a member of the bipartisan task force that contributed many of the best features of this bill. I commend the leadership of our California colleague. ELTON GALLEGLY. This bill doubles the number of Border Patrol agents to 10.000 over the next 5 years. And it authorizes the purchase of muchneeded equipment and technology to aid these new agents in the fight against increasingly sophisticated alien smuggling rings. It also takes some important first steps toward eliminating the jobs for undocumented workers which are the primary lure for illegal immigration. It authorizes new eligibilityverification programs to keep undocumented workers from obtaining employment. and to protect the vast majority of American businesses who would never willingly hire an undocumented worker. In addition. it strengthens muchneeded anticounterfeiting laws. Mr. Speaker. this bill is not perfect. I am firmly committed to changing its unfair provisions targeting legal immigrants. And I am disappointed to see that provisions increasing civil penalties on employers who hire undocumented workers at the expense of American labor have been removed. But on balance. this bill is important and necessary. It represents progress.