Speech #1100041426

Mr. Speaker. today was May Day. and there were demonstrations across America in favor of a more open immigration policy. an immigration policy that I might add has already resulted in 15 to 20 million illegals being present in our society. The American people need to pay very close attention to this issue. Several weeks ago. the President of the United States took advantage with Congress being out of session to give a major immigration policy speech down along the border in Arizona. Flanked by dozens of border patrol officers. President Bush stuck to the usual script. securing the border. yes. but first a guest worker program must be set up that includes giving Social Security benefits to illegals. to those people who have been working here illegally. and of course. part of the program must be to legalize the status of those millions of illegal immigrants who already reside in our country. I have observed in my 30 years in Washington that when a President initiates a major policy speech on a controversial issue while Congress is in recess. it usually is because what he is advocating is indefensible and that he is seeking to minimize criticism. While the President was posturing with the border patrol. we Members were back in our districts listening to the pleas of our constituents. The American people are begging their goverment to save their families from the onslaught of illegal immigration. Instead of meeting with Americas elite who live behind gates and work at corporate boardrooms and whose kids attend private schools. President Bush should be talking to people who are watching their childrens public schools. their community hospitals and the security of their own neighborhoods being brought down by a massive flow of foreigners. illegally establishing themselves in our country. If this President pushes through his socalled comprehensive immigration plan. which will legalize the status of those who have broken our laws and are in this country illegally. Americas current 15 to 20 million illegal residents within a decade will mushroom to another 40 to 50 million. Wake up.