Speech #1050093781

It does not change the order in which a persons claim is adjudicated. In short. section 245(i) allows business to keep valued employees and allows families to stay together. It is just inhumane to force immigrants who have families in this country to leave the U.S. and to apply and wait for their visas in a foreign country. This instills fear and promotes division of immigrant families. Mr. Speaker. this whole debate is not really about fighting illegal immigration. This is just another attempt by some members on the other side of the aisle to sharply restrict or even eliminate immigration to the United States. Republican members claim they uphold family values. But when it comes to poor families and immigrant families. Republicans have demonstrated time and again that they want to make it more difficult for immigrants who have been living. working. and paying taxes in this country to reunite with their loved ones. A policy which divides thousands of families of U.S. citizens and legal residents seems preposterous at a time when family unification and family values are a strong concern of the American people. Immigrants have contributed to the wealth and success of this nation. They are an asset to our nation. I have in the past supported measures aimed at removing barriers to legal immigration and I will continue to do so. I voted for the Family Unity and Employment Opportunity Act of 1990 (P.L. 101649). the first comprehensive revision of U.S. immigration policy since 1965. which was signed into law by President Bush on November 29. 1990. and which made longoverdue improvements with regard to the admission into the United States of family members of legal residents and highly skilled professionals. Similarly. last year I voted against H.R. 2202. the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1996. because many of the provisions of the immigration "reform" of 1996 are simply wrong and. furthermore. we have little to fear from people immigrating. Immigrants come to our country to escape the hardships of war and political persecution or to work to improve their lives and those of their families. We. in turn. benefit from the cultural diversity their Inclusion brings to our society and the boost their working. spending. and paying taxes bring to our economy. New York City has been revitalized by newcomers to America.