Speech #1100165674

I am pretty well convinced now. having seen it time and time again. that this is no drafting error. This was a deliberate attempt to provide a huge number of persons the opportunity to obtain legal status. even though they had a most peripheral connection to agricultural labor. It also allows spouses and children to receive 5year visas. allowing them to live and workand workin the United States. Illegal aliens whose spouses and children are not already illegally present in the United States would be encouraged under this amendment to come to the United States. They would be encouraged to bring them to the United States because the application period does not start for 7 months after enactment. Spouses and children who are in the United States by the time the illegal alien applies for and receives this amnesty will also qualify. Do you see? So a person makes the application. and he has a powerful incentive to bring in his family. Astonishingly. if the spouse or child is caught crossing the border illegallywe have to think about this in terms of our commitment to the rule of law. I ask my colleagues to think about it. If a spouse or a child is caught crossing the border trying to come into America illegally in violation of our laws. the bill actually prohibits them from being deported. as long as they make a claim they are eligible for this amnesty also. Spouses will be given permission to work in the United States in any job. not just AgJOBS. even if they were not previously working. The amendments flaws are not cured by the fact that the visa sunsets in 5 years. They say: Dont worry. it is only a 5year amnesty. a 5year legalization. I can ask seriously.