[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 27, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  INTRODUCTION OF THE IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 27, 1995
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Immigration 
Enforcement Improvements Act of 1995 on behalf of the Clinton 
administration. This bill builds upon the strong effort this 
administration has been making to control illegal immigration.
  This administration has done more to close the door on illegal 
immigration than any previous administration. With expected increases 
this year and next, border control staffing will have increased by 51 
percent since President Clinton took office--including border patrols 
and inspectors at border crossing points and airports. Deportation of 
illegal immigrants has tripled and the removal of criminal aliens has 
been targeted. The budget of the INS has increased by over 70 percent 
from $1.5 billion in 1993 to $2.6 billion requested for 1996.
  The President, the Attorney General, and INS Commissioner Doris 
Meissner should be credited for their effective leadership and 
commitment to rising to the challenge of illegal immigration.
  The legislation introduced today gives the administration a number of 
tools to control our borders more effectively, to combat illegal hiring 
and to remove those who are here in violation of our laws.
  The bill would make realistic increases in border enforcement 
personnel without jeopardizing the quality and safety of Border Patrol 
officers and inspectors. Border control officers know best what 
resources they need to do their job effectively, and this bill responds 
directly to their needs.
  The bill imposes stiff penalties for smuggling of immigrants, 
document fraud and other offenses.
  The bill authorizes pilot programs to test ways to verify that job 
applicants are eligible to work in the United States. The goal is to 
find simple and effective ways of denying jobs to illegal immigrants to 
help eliminate the reason why immigrants enter this country illegally.
  The bill promotes coordination on workplace enforcement between the 
INS and the Department of Labor, since employers who hire undocumented 
workers often also violate other labor standards.
  Finally, the bill expedites the removal of criminal aliens by 
eliminating some procedures and redtape.
  I commend the administration for their initiative and I look forward 
to working with my colleagues to produce legislation that deals 
thoughtfully with the serious challenges we face.


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