Speech #1050119739

Chairman. I want to correct sonic misimpresslons that may have been given in the short time that I have left. First of all. this debate is not about immigration. There are many aspects of Immigration tihat are good for America. It is not about the countries of Greece and Portugal. They arc wonderful countries. and someday. if they meet the criteria and meet the standards without lowering the standards. I hope they becama visa countrlea It is not about individuals who are Illegal aliens who are InI tits country today. The gentleman from Massachusetts actually has a greater faith than I do in the bureaucraoy. because he seemed to imply that if someone was in the country illegally. they would be deported by Lite INS. i point of fact. only one out of I00 Illegal aliens in the United States is ever deported by the INS. The other problem mentioned was the difficulty of obtaining passports rr visas in Portugal. Portugal Is one of the few countries that has sameday service for walkin applicants. It is one of the few countries that guarantees a return by mail wilthin 3 days of tiose applications for visas. Another misstatement that was erroneously made was the fact. that the Senate already has adopted this. In point of fact. the Senate bill says that to new country can become a member of tite Visa Waiver Program until we have a determination of visa overstay rates. We know that that time is at least 2 years away. and that that is why it is In conformity with tie 2year extension that we have in the bill at hand.