Speech #1040267333

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2202. the Illegal Immigration reform bill. This legislation is the product of countless hours of negotiation between House Republicans and Democrats. While this bill currently does not have the tough provisions like the Gallegly amendment. that are so important to Californians. it is a step in the right direction. Although the United States is a Nation of immigrants. its borders should be protected from immigrants who unlawfully enter the country and become a burden on citizen taxpayers. I believe that individuals should come to this country through legal channels in order to become productive Americans. It has been estimated that it costs California more to educate illegal immigrants children than the entire educational budget of Rhode Island and Delaware. While the Clinton administration has turned a blind eye to the strains illegal immigrants places on local economies and communities. the Republican Congress is cracking down on illegal immigration in order to save all Americans money. According to INS. there are currently 4.5 million illegal aliens in the United States. While the illegal alien population increases by more than 300.000 every year. only about 45.000 illegal aliens are deported from the United States each year. We have clearly lost control of our borders. Why play by the rules when it is so easy to jump to the head of the line and enter illegally? H.R. 2202 does the following to ensure we are ready to combat this everincreasing problem: It beefs up border security. it expedites deportations. it toughens penalties for illegal aliens. it gives law enforcement new tools to combat illegal immigration. and it eliminates the job magnet. Mr. Speaker. most legal immigrants who come to this country work hard and pursue the American Dream. Unfortunately. increasing numbers come to this country in search of government handouts. Consequently. taxpayers will spend S26 billion this year to provide welfare to noncitizens. This could rise to $70 billion by 2004. California spends about $3 billion annually for public education and health care for illegal aliens and incarceration of some 20.000 felons who illegally entered the country. This legislation encourages personal responsibility by requiring illegal aliens to pay their own way. It reinforces prohibition against illegal aliens receiving public benefits. In addition this legislation starts holding deadbeat sponsors legally financially responsible by one. counting the sponsors income as part of the immigrants in determining eligibility for welfare. and two. ensuring that sponsors have sufficient means to fulfill their financial obligations. Mr. Speaker. it is time to act on immigration reform. My district needs it. my home State needs it. America needs it My colleagues should vote favorably on this legislation.