Speech #1100055828

President. I come to the floor today to speak in favor of the BingamanObama Y1 guest worker amendment. The BingamanObama amendment removes the requirement that Y1 visa holders under the new guest worker program leave the United States for at least 1 year before renewing their visas. Designing a worker program where people are supposed to come to the U.S. for 2 years. leave for a year. return for 2 years. leave for a year. and then return for 2 years is a recipe for creating a new undocumented population. Our amendment does not modify the overall number of permissible work years. which would still be limited to a total of 6 years. and it doesnt change the term of the visa. which would still be 2 years. In order to renew their visa. applicants would still have to demonstrate that they are eligible to meet the requirements of the program. The amendment maintains the general structure of the program. but revises it in a manner that makes the program more workable. We need to pass this amendment because the process in the underlying bill is costly and burdensome on employers. especially small businesses.