Speech #1090137374

I thank my distinguished colleagues. Senator BYRD and Senator GREGG. for offering this amendment. The concern which I have is whether it will be counterproductive. in putting such an increased burden on the undocumented immigrants. that they will not come forward. The fines and fees have been very carefully calibrated during the course of committee deliberation. On those who have been here for more than 5 years. we had assessed the fine or fee at $2.000. with $1.600 going to Border Patrol. With respect to those who were here 2 to 5 years. we have put on a fee of $1.000 less than those who were here more than 5 years because they have to return. And out of that $1.000. we have allocated $800 to border security. There are other fines. $500 for spouse and children on deferred mandatory departure and $400 on agriculture jobs adjustment status. It was the calculation of the committee. after considering the matter carefully. that that was the appropriate fine. It would always be a good idea to find some other source of revenue to help defray expenditures from the general Treasury. but what we are trying to do here is to calibrate a system where we will achieve the objective of imposing fines as much as we think the traffic will bear and still bring the undocumented immigrants out of the socalled shadows and not create a fugitive class. I intend to stick with the committee recommendation which is the committee bill. Therefore. as much as I respect and admire Senator BYRD.