President. I am very proud to support my friend and colleague. Senator MACK. in our efforts to include the Immigration Reform and Transition Act. as modified. in this current legislation. It is important that we take this step today. or as soon thereafter as possible. There are thousands of families who are currently in a legal limbo because of the retroactive changes that were made in the immigration laws that were passed in 1996. Senator MACK. Senator KENNEDY. and others have worked to develop a bipartisan. humane solution to give these families the opportunity to remain togetherand I underscore the word "opportunity"-and to continue the lives that they have built in hundreds of our local communities in the United States. I can tell you from personal knowledge and experience and relationships. that the people to whom this amendment is primarily directed are. in the overwhelming number. hardworking. taxpaying. lawabiding individuals who have followed every rule and regulation since they have been resident in the United States and are making a contribution to the development of our country. Since the 1996 retroactive immigration bill passed. with the consequences that Senator MACK has just outlined. these families have lived in fear. fear of being uprooted and torn apart. and fear that all of their hard work in the United States will be for naught. We now have the chance to act and ease these fears. The thousands of people we are seeking justice for have human faces. They are not just statistics. they are not just theories in an Immigration Act. I want to submit for the RECORD. stories that mention the human dimension of this important amendment. Also.
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