Speech #1100181702

Madam Speaker. I rise today to implore my colleagues to review. and subsequently ameliorate. the current state of immigration law. After the failure of this Congress to enact sensible. compassionate. and effective immigration reform last year. selectiveand at times nonsensicaenforcement has been the rule. It has meant. in the face of inaction and silence on the part of the Federal Government. fragmented and contradictory responses from local municipalities. ranging from establishing sanctuary cities to conducting incessant. violent. and sometimes illogical raids and deportations. Waiting is no longer a suitable solution. particularly not for those hardworking undocumented immigrants. free of any criminal record. who live every day in fear. and certainly not for those legal immigrants who committed longago misdemeanors and become victims to the fervor for increased deportations. A New York CARIB News June 3 article. "Deportation Hanging Over West Indians Head." reports the case of the deputy chief of staff to a prominent New York City Council membera legal residentwho now faces deportation because of a minor drug offense he committed 20 years ago as an 18yearold. EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS. Vol. 154. Pt. 10 The law was meant to apply to those immigrants who have committed serious offenses. but in todays climate. it is increasingly being used against persons convicted of rather small crimes. like shoplifting. These are legal residents. having now become model citizens. who have built lives in this country and have none elsewhere. committing smalltime crimes years ago as teenagers and finding themselves in deportation proceedings. This is just one example of an American immigration system that proves illogical. demands fixing. and provides blanket judgment as opposed to reasoned casebycase due process. As we forestall meaningful action on immigration. good Americans suffer. I urge that we get back to work on this most imperative issue. and do whats right for this country and its residents.