Speech #1100053875

Amnesty is simply declaring people who entered the country illegally citizens of the United States and imposing no other requirements on them. That is not what we do in this legislation. Under the provisions of this legislation. undocumented workers will have incentives to declare their existence and comply with our laws. They may apply for a worker visa. They would be subjected to background checks. They must pay substantial fines and fees. totaling approximately $7.000. learn English. enroll in civic education. remain employed and. if they choose to get a green card. go to the end of the line behind those who waited legally outside of the country to come in. I believe most undocumented workers will accept these requirements in oirder to escape the fear. unceirtainty. and vulnerability to exploitation they currently endure. While those who have come here to do us haim will not come out of hiding to accept those conditions. we will at least be spared the Herculean task of finding and sorting through millions of people who came here simply to earn a living. We are aware of the burdens illegal immigrants impose on our cities and counties and States. Those burdens which are a Federal responsibility must be addressed. We need als o to face honestly the moral consequences of our curr~ent failed immigration system. I am hopeful at the end of this debate we can show the American people that we addressed a serious and urgent problem with sound judgment. honesty. common sense. and compassion. I hope we can show that we reached across the aisle to try to solve a serious problem in a serious way. It seems almost trite at this point to once again state that our Nations immigration system is broken and in bad need of repair. But without comprehensive immigration reform. it is a fact that our Nations security will remain vulnerable. We must act immediately or face the consequences of another summer of people dying in our deserts. businesses shutting theii doors because they do not have the manpower to stay open. and criminals hiding in the shadows of our society mixed in with hardworking people who are the backbone of our economy. The Senate must have the courage and will to solve this crisis facing our Nation.