[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 113 (Thursday, July 13, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H6918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN LEGAL AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

  (Mr. BILBRAY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, America is a nation of immigrants; America 
is also a nation of laws. As the House begins consideration this week 
on a comprehensive immigration reform, we should be mindful of the 
distinction between legal and illegal immigration. With this in mind, 
our laws should reflect our desire to reward legal immigration and 
discourage illegal immigration.
  Current law, Mr. Speaker, sends conflicting signals. Immigrants who 
play by the rules, observe our laws, and go through the proper legal 
channels wait for years to be U.S. citizens. Conversely, if an 
undocumented woman crosses the border illegally, gives birth to a child 
on U.S. soil, that child automatically becomes a citizen. The child, 
and by extension its parents who are here illegally, are eligible for a 
menu of State and Federal benefits.
  When our laws punish legal behavior, but reward illegal behavior, Mr. 
Speaker, it is no wonder the American taxpayers demand that we redress 
this situation.

                          ____________________