Speech #1090133870

Mr. President. I fail to understand why it poses an unreasonable burden upon the 10 million or 11 million or 12 million undocumented immigrants who currently live in the United States in violation of our immigration laws to pay a modest fee as part of the quid pro quo for their regularization when. in fact. they have been imposing unfunded burdens on local taxpayers and local hospital districts and counties and cities for the entire time they have been present in the United States. No one is talking about being punitive or being unnecessarily harsh. But fair is fair. To suggest that it is not fair for them to pay a fee really stands in stark contrast to the fact that these same individuals. when they apply for legal permanent residency or a green card. will be required to pay $2.000. The truth is. most individuals who come across at least the southern border in violation of our immigration laws. turn their lives over to human smugglers and pay on average about $1.500 each for each trip they make into the United States. Certainly. these individuals. in return. for the benefits that are conferred upon them under this bill. should be expected. and I think they would expect. to pay some modest cost to help defray the expenses to local and State taxpayers. In fact. these individuals are being given an opportunity for a second chance. and I believe there should be some cost associated with that. In fact. we have been told during the course of this debate that this underlying bill creates a situation where people earn their right to legal status. As we found out. during the first 6 years of their presence in the United States. after this bill passes. if it passes in its current status. they will be able to live and work and travel and have all the benefits of living in this country and have paid nothingzero. zip. nada. Only after about 6 years. when they apply for a green card or legal permanent residency. will they then be required to pay the $2.000. I think it is only just that these individuals be required to pay a surcharge of $750. a reasonable amount for reimbursement to State and local governments and taxpayers for the costs of health care and education that have been imposed by their very presence on local taxpayers. Again. this is not punishing anybody.