Speech #1100043530

Renewals under the seasonal program would be unlimited. which may be problematic. We would need to discuss that some. But these workers would also be eligible to apply for green cards under regular channels. if they are willing to compete against others on a meritbased basis to see whether or not they could come. Then the principles focus on a more meritbased entry policy into the United States. The principles I hear being discussed would eliminate the Diversity Visa Lottery and some chain migration categories. such as brothers and sisters and adult siblings of U.S. citizens. Green cards that have been given out for those individuals would be transferred over to a point system which selects legal permanent resident applicants based on merit. So I am concerned that the White House plan also appears to increase the total number of green cards available each year. Page 21 of the Powerpoint indicates that 1.4 million green cards would be available each year. We are at about 1 million now. That would be a 40percent increase. I want to look at that carefully. But I like the idea of the entry being based on a more meritorious program. They have a plan to clear the current backlog of green card applications. which also has dangers in that it could substantially increase the number of people who would come. I am not sure comprehensive immigration reform is designed to increaseat least the American people have an idea that it is designed to increase dramatically the number of people who come legally today. I dont think that is what most people have in mind when they think about immigration reform. What about the population that is here today illegally? This plan that is being discussed would have given legal status to illegal aliens currently in the country through a new "Z visa. which would be renewable indefinitely. Those holding Z visas will be eligible to apply for green cards through regular channels after they go back. "touchback." across the border. But regular channels are adjusted to a more meritbased system. So they would have to compete with people who have other qualities and merits that may make them less likely to be admitted. If these principles are the ones that form the framework for a newly drafted. bipartisan bill. then I think it is possible that we could successfully enact immigration reform this year. Now. I cannot tell you that I am going to be able to vote for this plan in the end because I intend to read the fine print.