Speech #1100050960

She can apply to be a permanent resident at the Canadian Embassy in Cyprus and would be eligible promptlyimmediately. So that is the way the system works in Canada. It is something that 1 think without doubt should be a part of our Immigration reform. So we are a nation of immigrants. We are at a point in our history in which the influx of immigrants into America is as high as it has ever been. Once. I believe. in our countrys history we peaked at this high of an immigration rate. but along came the Depression and World War 11 and we almost stopped immigration entirely. We went to very low immigration rates. Then we have gone back into a new cycle of very strong immigration. It looks as if there is not any likelihood that this Nation will stop this current rate and go back to zero. Most of us believe immigration. properly handled. is good for America. but we do have to consider the actual numbers. The numbers cannot be too great. or it takes jobs from Americans and can. in fact. create cultural problems that wouldnt occur if it was a little slower. So we have a situation where we would like to see immigration continue. Now. if we are going to maintain a very high level of immigration at historic highs for America. it only makes good sense and common sense. it seems to me. that we would look around the world and we would give points like Canada does to the persons who are most likely to be happy and prosperous in our country. who are most likely to not go on welfare. most likely to have good jobs and pay taxes. who will help us balance the budget rather than causing a drain on the budget. and in fact attract people who really desire to be an American and who want to be a part of our society and deeply desire to make a permanent move. and who want to create a new allegiance from their prior country to their new home in the United States. That was the ideal of American immigration. and I certainly think that remains our ideal today. We ought to keep that in mind as we go forward. Doing the right thing. creating the right number in the right categories with the right skill sets. while at the same time having a legal system that really works. is within our grasp.