A strong family is certainly a very important value that we ought to maintain to the maximum extent possible. I intend at the appropriate time. before the vote comes up. to raise a point of order under concurrent resolution 21. but for a few moments I will deal with the merits as to the issue advanced by the Senator from New York. The effect of adoption of this amendment would mean those who are now legal permanent residents or green card holders would have an immediate right to bring in their spouse and children. and it is estimated there are some 800.000 of these green cards in existence at the present time. From many perspectives. it would be worthwhile to have that accomplished. That would certainly be a personal preference of mine. if it were not for many collateral constraining factors about the difficulty of allowing that many additional green cards all of a sudden. The 800.000 figure is the best estimate that is av ailable at this late hour. The effect of the amendment offered by the Senator from New York as to the approximately 12 million undocumented immigrants would be that as soon as the backlog is cleared after 8 years. then at that time they would be eligible to have green cards issued as green card holders or as legal permanent residents. after the backlog is cleared in 8 years. Under the amendment by the Senator from New York. they would have the right to bring in their spouse and minor children. Again. if I were to devise an ideal system and there were not other limitations.
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immigrants green card green cards undocumented