People who overstay their welcome could forfeit their chance of being regularized forever. I would remind my colleagues the six people arrested who wanted to attack Fort Dix. NJ. and to kill Americansthree of them came across our southern border illegally. three of them came on valid visas and overstayed them. Moreover. aspiring immigrants would learn. from an early age. what sort of person the United States is looking for. In a break from the current system. this bill awards visas on a meritbased points system that rewards education. and English proficiency. agricultural work experience. home ownership and other traits. Potential immigrants would understand that the United States is looking for people who can he selfsufficient from the start. and theyd mold themselves to demonstrate that ability. In essence. we are rewarding people for working hard and showing potential. These are not all highskilled workers. but they are the kind of workers and people we should want to become citizens of our country. By combining family ties with economic realities. we can build a stronger immigration system that will help to build a stronger. more competitive economy and Nation. In addition to future immigrant and nonimmigrant workers. we have to address the fact that 12 million people are living in the United States illegally. most of them employedall of them contributing to our country. Our economy has come to depend on people whose existence in our country is furtive. whose whereabouts and activities in many cases are unknown. I have listened to and understand the concerns of those who simply advocate sealing our borders and making life so terrible for people here that they will selfdeport.
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immigrants visas immigrant immigration