[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 46 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E506-E507]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IMMIGRATION IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                               speech of

                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of Arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 22, 1996

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2202) to 
     amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to improve 
     deterrence of illegal immigration to the United States by 
     increasing border patrol and investigative personnel, by 
     increasing penalties for alien smuggling and for document 
     fraud, by reforming exclusion and deportation law and 
     procedures, by improving the verification system for 
     eligibility for employment, and through other measures, to 
     reform the legal immigration system and facilitate legal 
     entries into the United States, and for other purposes:
  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this pro-family, pro-
immigration amendment.
  The issues of legal and illegal immigration are not, and should not, 
be linked to one another. It is unfortunate that the anger, 
frustration, and misinformation over illegal immigration has been used 
to target hard-working, law-abiding, legal immigrants. Focusing our 
efforts on reducing illegal immigration is a responsible and proper 
undertaking. Slashing legal immigration, however, as H.R. 2202 does, is 
like fighting crime by imprisoning the innocent. While the Chrysler-
Berman-Brownback amendment does not eliminate all the evils contained 
in this bill, it does strike some of the most blatantly xenophobic and 
anti-family provisions of the legislation.
  The legislation, as you know, would reduce legal immigration by 40 
percent over 5 years. Whole categories of legal immigration would be 
eliminated and excessive restrictions would be placed on the sponsors 
of legal immigrants. Under the bill, parents of U.S. citizens would no 
longer be able to migrate to the United States unless they are covered 
by health insurance and long-term health care policies, a requirement 
that is clearly beyond the means of many Americans. It is 
unconscionable that only the wealthy will be able to bring their 
parents into this country.
  In addition, the bill guarantees that families of legal immigrants 
will forever remain divided. The unmarried adult sons and daughters of 
U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents are all but prohibited from 
joining their parents. Should brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens be 
able to migrate to the United States and live with one another? Not 
according to the sponsors of the legislation; under H.R. 2202, this 
category of immigration is completely eliminated. I ask the supporters 
of these provisions: Is America not big enough for the parents, 
children,and siblings of its citizens?
  Mr. Chairman, though it has been said several times before, it must 
be said again. We are a Nation of immigrants. Ours is a proud, though 
not unblemished, history of providing hope and opportunity to people 
from all nations who are willing to work hard and abide by our laws. 
This bill turns that history on its head and does so by striking at one 
of our most cherished institutions--the nuclear family.
  Legal immigrants have provided the United States with a rich return 
on its investment. Legal immigrants and foreign-born citizens work hard 
and contribute to the economy well beyond the cost of services that 
they consume. It is estimated that 77 percent of the foreign-born 
population is gainfully employed, compared to 74 percent of native-born 
Americans. In addition, immigrants generate $285 billion in income and 
pay more than $70 billion in taxes annually--$25 billion more than they 
receive in benefits. Legal immigrants and naturalized citizens also 
contribute immeasurably

[[Page E507]]

to the rich mixture of cultures and heritages that can only be found in 
the United States. I find strength and pride in this diversity, not 
fear and anxiety.
  Mr. Chairman, H.R. 2202 is, without a doubt, a bill that is bad for 
America. The Chrysler-Berman-Brownback amendment removes some, but not 
all, of the draconian measures in the legislation. I urge my colleagues 
to support the amendment and oppose final passage of the bill.

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