Speech #1040272526

I have some rather serious problems with this legislation. However. we face a more serious problem. for which this legislation. even with its flaws. is needed. I am speaking. of course. of the problem of illegal immigration. This bill contains a number of provisions that I believe are crucial to our fight to bring illegal immigration under control. For example. the bill includes the KylAbraham amendment adopted in committee. This amendment will increase by 1.000 the number of Border Patrol agents in each of the next 5 fiscal years (19972001). The bill also would sharply increase penalties for alien smuggling and document fraud. In addition. the bill includes a revised form of an Abraham amendment to impose stiff sanctions on visaoverstayers. who make up fully onehalf of the illegal aliens in this country. I regret that the "good cause" exception in my amendment was omitted from final bill. But visaoverstayers must be punished like anyone else who breaks the rules.