Speech #1090137854

We cannot sustain the American dream if we do not provide opportunity for all Americans. including those who do not or cannot go to college. I can think of nothing more likely to cause conflict and division. and raise the ugly specter of ethnic prejudice than making millions of Americans compete against foreign workers. sometimes in economic recessions. for the jobs their families need to make ends meet. Congress should be willing to increase legal immigration where our employers have proven needs that our own workers cannot meet. I believe such shortage exists today in certain parts of the economy. such as agriculture. and I would be willing to consider increases in the current limits in those areas. But that decision should be made on the basis of evidence. not speculation. and Congress should make it carefully and for short periods of time rather than guessing what the labor situation will be 10 or 20 years from now. These decisions we are considering today matter. They affect the lives of millions of our people who rightly expect that we will look out for their interests. not make them feel guilty about their legitimate concerns for themselves and their loved ones. Moreover. the legal immigration provisions in the bill will cost our taxpayers $54 billion over the next 10 years. That fact is not disputed. even by the sponsors of the bill. Because of the deficit. our health care programs are under pressure.