Speech #1050019451

Mr. President. on August 22. 1997. in nearly 10 days. approximately half a million legal immigrants In this country. currently receiving S57. will lose their benefits. These recipients are elderly or disableda vulnerable part of our population. Of the 80.00 legal immigrants at risk of losing their 881 benefits in New York State. more than 70.00) are in New York City. The city estimates that there will also be 130010 ImmIgrants who will lose food stamps. According to New York City estimates. the loss of SST and food stamps to city Immigrants Isa loss of $442 million from the Federal Government to immigrants In New York City In 1998. On April 17. 1 joined with my colleogues Senators CiiaErz. Fr.sTarw. MOYNmDw. DaWINE. LizBERMAN. and MaLSKI to introduce legislation that will allow Immigrants who were in the United States legally and were receiving 881 and food stampa on August 22. 1996 (the day the welfare reform bill was enacted) to continue to receive those benefits. Legal immigrants who were in this country and receiving benefits at the time the welfare reform act was enacted should not have the rules changed midstream. The legislation introduced last Thursday also allows refugees who were legally in the United States as of August 22. 1996 to receive SSI or food stamps. without a 5year limitation. Refugees who entered after August 196 will only be able to receive benefits for 5 years. Congress needs time to enact legislation that will protect the most vulnerable populationthe elderly and the disabled who are relying on these Federal beneoits and refugees who are fleeing persecution. Enacting a legislative fix wil take time but the clock Is ticking closer to August 1997. when benefits are expected to be cut. That is why Senator CHAtMM. IWIN. and I are introducing a bill that will provide the necessary time for Congress to further examine options and take action. The bill will delay the cutoff period for legal immigrants who are 881 and food stamp recipients until February 22. 1998. A delay In Implementation will also allow Immigrants who are trying to naturalize an additional 6 months to complete the citizenship process. This is especially important. because under the Welfare Reform Act. a legal Immigrant who becomes an American citizen is eligible for benefits as any other citizen. The naturalization process can prove to be a bureaucratic nightmare--especially for elderly and disabled poor lmmigrants. Thee people should not be unfairly penalized for being caught in the bureaucracy. Mr. President. I urge my colleagues review the merits of this bill. as well as the ChafeeFeinsteinDAmato bill to restore benefits to certain categories of immigrants. and hope for their passage. By Mr. WARNER SJ.