Speech #1050050982

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 849. which would prohibit illegal aliens from receiving relocation assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD]. This legislation continues Congress commitment to stop providing taxpayer supported benefits to illegal aliens. Like many of my constituents. I was shocked to read on February 12. 1997. the San Diego UnionTribune headline "Immigrant Status No Bar to Housing Aid. Undocumented Tenant To Get $12.000 in Relocation Funds." The article. written by Lola Sherman. highlights how an illegal alien living in Oceanside. CA. was provided $12.000 by HUD for relocation assistance. I have attached the article for the RECORD. This illegal alien was living in a public housing complex which was purchased by Community Housing of North County. a private. nonprofit organization that is planning to remodel the complex to provide housing to people with AIDS. The illegal alien and the other members of the public housing complex were to be relocated to other housing by HUD under the Uniform Relocation Assistance Act. Of the other 21 residents of this complex. all legal residents. 10 received no assistance for relocation. The other 11 either moved into subsidized housing or received between $1.000 and $2.500 in relocation assistance. However. because the illegal alien was not eligible to move into subsidized housing. and because the alien had no legal taxable income. HUD was required to provide the illegal alien the maximum possible Federal subsidy under the Uniform Relocation Assistance Act for relocation assistance. In this case. the illegal alien was provided $12.000. far more than the other citizens and legal residents were provided for living in the same situation. Immediately. I joined Mr. PACKARD in supporting this important legislation. which would deny assistance under the Uniform Relocation Assistance Act to illegal aliens. This commonsense legislation continues Congress commitment to stopping taxpayer benefits to illegal aliens. Last year. Congress passed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act and the Immigration in the National Interest Act to stop generous taxpayer benefits from being paid to illegal aliens. By passing this legislation today. we will remove one more magnet which draws illegal aliens to our country and ensure that our limited taxpayers dollars are focused to our citizens who need help most. Mr. Speaker.