Speech #1100049268

The administration has been dedicated. the President has been personally involved in the discussions. A group of us met with the President yesterday. Immigration was discussed. The administration has devoted the time of the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Commerce. who have been parties to these lengthy meetings. always present for the duration of the session. We think we are coming very close. but as we move through the analysis and discussion. it has been apparent that no matter what legislation Is produced. it will be unsatisfactory to both ends of the political spectrum. The bill has already been criticized for being too lenient on undocumented immigrants and providing amnesty at one end of the political spectrum. It has been criticized at the other end of the political spectrum for not being sufficiently humanitarian and compassionate to the immigrants. Even though we have yet to produce a bill. it has been subjected to criticism. We have found that around the country some 90 cities have been engaged in legislative efforts with either passed or rejected laws trying to deal with immigrants landlords. In my State. the city of Hazleton is trying to deal with the issue. Recently. we had a conspiracy by six men charged with a terrorist plot to attack the soldiers at Fort Dix. Three of those who have been charged are undocumented immigrants from Yugoslavia. illegal immigrants. There has been a virtual breakdown of law and order. as we have in this country an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants. We have the criticism expressed at one end of the political spectrum that there is amnesty here. That is factually wrong. Those who will be placed at the end of the citizenship line will be those who do not have criminal records. Where we can identify those with criminal records. they should be deported. You cant deport 12 million undocumented immigrants who are here illegally. but you can deport those who have criminal records. Those who will be placed at the end of the line for citizenship will be those who have paid their taxes. those who have established a good work record. those who were contributing in a constructive way to the American way of life. When objections are raised as to amnesty. the question is returned: What more can be done with these 12 million undocumented immigrants? What more hurdles can be placed to be sure we do the maximum to avoid the charge of amnesty? We are still open for suggestions.