Speech #1090100509

I rise in opposition to H.R. 4437. Like many of my colleagues. I believe we should enforce our immigration laws and ensure we stem the tide of illegal immigration. However. this bill goes too far. It is a heavy handed approach to immigration. But you may say. "DINGELL. we have a problem. we must do something." I say to that: Read the fine print. This bill not only penalizes illegal immigrants. but families. asylum seekers. good Samaritans. and most importantiy. law abiding. U.S. citizens. This bill goes too far. First. this bill harshly penalizes families. in particular family unity. For instance. under Title VI of the bill. millions of immigrants would be barred from gaining lawful resident status. even those whose spouses or children are U.S. citizens. Without lawful resident status. those immigrants would be sent to their country of origin. forced to leave their loved ones behind. This bill goes too far. Next. good Samaritans would be harshly penalized. If a person finds an illegal immigrant injured. and takes that person to a hospital. the law would label the Samaritan a felon. This bill goes too far. Mr. Speaker. asylum seekers would be unduly penalized. This bill redefines the status of many asylum seekers. making them felons under the law. and would disallow many from having a hearing before they are deported back to the country from which they are seeking asylum. This bill goes too far. Most importantly.