Speech #1050092468

Speaker. I am pleased to rise in support of the extension of section 245(1) and in opposition to the motion by the gentleman from California . The motion to instruct the conferees would end an invaluable immigration procedure. will create new and unnecessary burdens on our families and on our businesses. Section 245(i) will not change the immigration procedures. but rather will change the location where individuals obtain permanent residence via a green card. either here or abroad. This extension does not allow individuals to jump the line and obtain a residency any faster nor does it allow them to immediately become legal residents. Whether they process their paperwork here or in their home countries. these individuals must wait the same amount of time and are placed on a waiting list on a first come first serve basis. Extending 245(i) will greatly assist our consular offices abroad to increase their efficiency and focus and provide better services to our American citizens traveling and living abroad. With the Immigration and Naturalization Service processing applications for green cards. consular offices throughout the world can service Americans with overseas emergencies rather than spending the majority of their time with noncitizens. Moreover. opponents believe INS does not provide adequate background checks on individuals and as a result is putting the American public at risk. That is simply not true. INS processes all individuals through the same checks as the State Department would prior to allowing them to become citizens. Section 245(i) is not any amnesty program for illegal aliens. The program is designed to help people who are already eligible to obtain legal status in the form of permanent residence in this country. Those who apply for adjustment under section 245(1) must qualify for an immigrant visa based on a family or employment relationship. have a visa number immediately available and be otherwise admissible to our Nation. Section 245(i) does not change the rules or does not make immigration any easier. It merely changes the location of processing and provides a penalty fee which offsets processing costs and funds detention efforts. Accordingly.