Speech #1040272554

These are mainstream American values. and I am pleased to see that these values are implicit in this legislation. In addition to providing appropriations for the agencies and Departments of the Federal Government for which individual appropriations were not approved. this bill also contains a major authorizing program. I refer to the illegal immigration bill. I am pleased that the negotiations on this portion of the bill have produced a measure which is tough on those who violate our immigrations laws. but which is not punitive to those who have entered this country legally. The illegal immigration legislation will strengthen our efforts to prevent undocumented immigrants from entering our country and obtaining employment. It will increase border patrols. create a voluntary pilot program for employment verification. and require additional INS investigators. I had strong reservations about the conference report on this bill because of provisions which would have denied Federal assistance to legal immigrants. After all. legal immigrants have played by the rules. they pay taxes just like any U.S. citizen. and they contribute to the economy. I am pleased that the concerns I had have been addressed in this final compromise measure. Under this compromise. we now focus on putting a halt to illegal immigration. which was our goal when we passed the Senate version of the bill. It is especially important that the socalled Gallegly amendment was dropped. Many of us were strongly opposed to this provision which would have denied a public education to illegal immigrant children. Children should not be punished for the errors of their parents. I am very disappointed that we were not able to include the Senatepassed provisions for those seeking political asylum. The United States has always reached out to those fleeing persecution. The Leahy amendment which the Senate approved would have made sure that people seeking asylum were treated fairly. It would have given them the time they needed to present their case. and ensured that no Immigration official could send them back to their country without a fair hearing. It is disappointing that this good provision was not included in the measure. I hope we will be able to take care of this problem in the next Congress.