[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2202, ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION REFORM AND 
                  IMMIGRANT RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 1996

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 25, 1996

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 
2202.
  We all agree that we need to control illegal immigration by 
strengthening our borders, enforcing our laws, and ensuring compliance 
with our national labor laws.
  While there are some provisions in H.R. 2202 that move in this 
direction, this bill continues to fall short of achieving meaningful 
reform in crucial areas.
  For example, rather than provide the Labor Department with additional 
resources to investigate labor abuses, H.R. 2202 contains zero 
additional funding in this area.
  In addition, this bill deletes important anti-discrimination 
protections in the workplace, and denies fair compensation to employees 
for errors in the employment verification process.
  This bill fails to address the fact that jobs are the primary reason 
immigrants, whether legal or illegal, come to this country. Instead, 
this bill unfairly punishes legal immigrants, and threatens 
discrimination against American workers.
  H.R. 2202 is flawed and unfair. I urge a ``no'' vote on this bill.

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