Speech #1050119738

Chairman. I would just like to close the debate by bringing us home to what the issue is that we are debating. We are debating going from 2 people in 100 fting refused a visa to come to the Unlted States as a tourtat or on legitimae business purposes. and i.o go from 2 people out of 100 to 3 people out of 100 being refused and being refused on. I would argue. an arbitrary basis as to whether or not they meet an arbitrary standard that is Hoi. up by the person sitting across a desk from them. Now I have not come at title with somewhal. of a unique perspective from most of iny colleagues. and I will fully admit I am the only Portuguese Momber of the House of Representatives. of Portuguese descent. My grandparents immigrated hero from Portugal. and I am very proud of that. But I can tell my colleagues that there is a difference between whether or nor. my relatives can come over on a tourist visa or not. and that does moan something to me and my family. and I think that this Is a very important amendment. [] 1615 I think that it is faIr. All I am asking my colleagues to do is to allow people to come in for logiitimate reasons. We are not talking about illegal immigraLion. We are not even talking about legal immigration. We are talking about people coming Into this country as tourists. We are talking about people coming into this couniry for legitimate businmss reasons.