Speech #1100054280

First. I want to speak briefly on the Allard amendment. The Allard amendment seeks to strike a blow at one of the central pillars of comprehensive immigration reform. which is the earned legalization program for undocumented people who are working and contributing in the United States. Virtually every demographic snapshot of the American public supports a practical solution for bringing the undocumented population into the light of day. The tough and practical solution contained in the bill requires undocumented workers to pay hefty fines and penalties. undergo background checks. clear up back taxes. learn English. continue working for a period of years in a probationary status. and go to the back of the line. Only after 8 years. after getting right with the law and proving their commitment to becoming Americans. are these workers provided an opportunity at legal permanent residence. The Allard amendment seeks to nullify that shot at the American dream. It does so by eliminating the separate point schedule included in the bill for Z visa holders and the agricultural job applicants. The point schedule for Z visa holders and AgJOB applicants is 153. Pt. 10 14501 designed to determine when they can apply for permanent residence. not whether they can apply. Eligibility to apply for permanent residence is earned by complying with tough requirements. I just mentioned thempaying fines. working hard. learning English. going to the back of the current line. and reentering the country legally. The intent of the Allard amendment is to require undocumented immigrants to compete with other future intending immigrants under the new meritbased system. There are two different merit systems. one for the temporary and one for agriculture. The amendment of the Senator from Colorado eliminates the one designed for agricultural workers. But given the meritbased system and the strong preference for the highly educated. this amendment is an attempt to keep the undocumented workers from ever ohtaining permanent residence. The educational profile of the undocumented workforce is such that these workers will never. ever be able to compete in a meaningful way for the pool of meritbased green cards. As such. if it were to pass. the amendment would create a permanent underclass of lower skilled workers living here in legal limbo indefinitely without the rights or opportunities afforded to legal permanent residents. Similar situations are played out in other countries. resulting in highly problematic. even disastrous consequences.