Speaker. I rise today to express my opposition to this motion to recommit. but also to express my hope that a compromise policy can be worked out in conference. I support the goal of this motion expressing support for House position to allow section 245(i) to sunset as required by the Immigration and Nationality Act because I believe that the Senate legislation. which would permanently extend this section 245(i). leaves a loophole which could encourage illegal immigration and allows those who violate our Nations laws to buy a reprieve. But. while I agree with the intent of this motion to close a loophole. I believe that in doing so we should make allowances for those folks and their families and employers who will be greatly impacted by the loss of section 245(i). I am convinced that there is middle ground to be found here. and I support looking for a compromise between the House and Senate bills to provide for a temporary extension of this legislation to give us time to study its impact on illegal immigration or an extension which would help those folks who have made a good faith effort to comply with all our Nations immigration laws and who fall out of legal status. To me. their situations are different from those folks who enter this country illegally. I urge my colleagues to vote against this motion to instruct conferees but also urge conferees to continue working to find the middle ground on this issue. While we should do everything in our power to encourage compliance with our Nations immigration laws and to discourage illegal immigration. we must take into account the cases in which exceptions can be made and should be made which will not jeopardize these goals. I support and encourage my colleagues to support a compromise between the extremes of the House and Senate bills which will serve the interests of all American citizens.
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immigration illegal immigration Immigration