Speech #1050089924

President. what kind of signal does it send to hardworking. lawabiding Americansthat you can come to this country illegally and stay here illegally. for as little as $1.000. I think we send the signal that anybody can come to the United States at anytime and stay here for as long as they want. Maybe I have the answer to the respect for our laws that some noncitizens have. I have also received information from the Bureau of Prisons that in the Federal prison system approximately 26.6 percent of the Federal inmates are not U.S. citizens as of June 1997. To take care of these prisoners is costing U.S. taxpayers $687 million a year. By the U.S. Congress extending the ability to adjust status to persons that have little regard for our laws with such little consequence. we are only condoning illegal actions and opening the door to further crime. Illegal immigrants have put a burden on our Federal system which we cannot sustain and remain solvent. This is wrong. We as a country cannot continue to fix the errors of illegal immigrants. They should be held accountable for their actions. Mr. President. it is a privilege to be in this great country. We must request all residents. whether citizens or noncitizens. of the United States adhere to our laws. And our message should be consistent. For these reasons. I am strongly opposed to the extension of 245(I) that is in the continuing resolution. I am further opposed to any effort to make permanent changes to this law that would weaken our immigration policy.