Speech #1050136565

As a result of the 1997 Budget and this bill. those individuals who were in the country and disabled on August 22. 1996 will continue to be eligible for SSI and for food stamps. But. the Congress has to draw the line somewhere. The sponsors of currently healthy immigrants who entered the country before August 22. 1996 should be responsible for those immigrants care should they fall on hard times. That has always been the law. In fact. since the early part of the century any immigrant who becomes a public charge can actually be removed from the United States. For those Individuals who do become disabled and for whom there is no sponsor support. the Immigration and Naturalization Service already has the authority to waive the normal requirements of becoming a citizen. By becoming a citizen. such individuals would automatically be eligible for SSI and for food stamps should they qualify. Mr. President. now is not the time to reverse our course on welfare reform. as such reform applies both to our U.S. citizens and to our immigrants. America is a land of immigrants. yes. But. we must not perpetuate dependence on public benefits. Our nation must be one of opportunity for our immigrants. not one that skirts the law by providing a loophole for some immigrants to become dependent on public assistance in the future. The Senate should remove the provisions of the conference report that continue food stamp benefits for immigrants in the future.