Speech #1040269464

For this reason. I joined those who urge that objectionable provisions in this actand I will use the bulk of my time to attempt to outline what I consider some of those objectionable provisionsbe excised. be eliminated. from this conference report. or. failing to do so. then that the conference report. regrettably. be rejected. I speak to this position based on some principles of fundamental fairness to all of those who will be affected by this legislation entitled "Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996." I speak not only for the legal immigrants who will feel the full weight of this report. which is supposed to deal not with legal immigrants. but. by its title. with illegal immigration. but I also speak of the apparent. and not so apparent. adverse effects that this will have on the States and local communities in which most of the persons affected live. This Congress has spent an enormous amount of time discussing immigration. I fully support the mandates which were passed to help assure that individuals do not enter this country illegally. The U.S. Government has a fundamental responsibility to enforce the laws which this Congress passes. Unfortunately. we have failed to do so as it relates to our immigration laws. and. thus. we have millions of illegal aliens within our society. I am proud of the fact that this legislation includes steps such as strengthening our Border Patrol. These are the hardworking officers who are our first line of defense against illegal immigration. I do not contest. but. in fact. fully support. better enforcement and funding to prevent illegal immigration. including those steps that would demagnetize jobs as a reason why illegal aliens come to the United States. Our Government has brought an unfair and strenuous burden to many States in the form of allowing thousands. in some cases millions. of illegal immigrants to enter within their borders. Florida has been particularly affected because of its unique geographic location. its diverse population. its temperate climate. Our Government. for several decades. has made Florida the gateway to immigrants arriving from South America and the Caribbean basin. A large majority of those who seek to be called Americans are Floridians. These new arrivals. those who come legally. those who come playing by the rules. are. in large part. lawabiding citizens.