Speech #1100054271

I understand. to vote on it around 3:30 or so. So I wish to take a few moments to talk about my amendment. which I think addresses a great inequity in the bill. one that rewards lawbreakers over law abiders. Ironically. this inequity is in the same section of the bill that rewards wouldbe immigrants based on merit. To be clear. I strongly support ending chain migration. I think the bill moves us in that direction. and I think that is great. and then moving us to a system of meritbased immigration. However. I believe all applicants under the meritbased system should be on a level playing field. By now. I believe most of us are familiar with the bills meritbased system which awards points to immigrants based on criteria such as employment. education. and knowledge of the English language. What many of us may not know is the enormous advantage the bills point system gives to people who have violated our immigration laws relative to people who are seeking to enter this country legally. I am referring to this socalled supplemental schedule for Zs which my amendment strikes. This separate schedule awards up to 50 bonus pointspoints that are unavailable to people who have never broken our immigration lawsto holders of Z visas seeking Permanent status. Holders of Z visas are defined as lawbreakers in the bill. In fact. this bill specifically requires that an alien prove that he or she broke the law in order to even be eligible for the Z visa. In effect. this supplemental schedule rewards people who enter the country 53. Pt. 10 June 5. 2007 illegally.