[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 93 (Friday, June 27, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1337]]



                              IMMIGRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 1997

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert my Washington 
Report for Wednesday, June 25, 1997 into the Congressional Record.

                         A Nation of Immigrants

       Americans have long taken pride in our heritage as a nation 
     of immigrants. From its beginnings as a nation, America has 
     been a refuge for individuals fleeing persecution and an 
     opportunity for new beginnings. Immigrants built our country. 
     Southern Indiana, for example, was largely settled by a wave 
     of German immigrants in the last century. We are now 
     experiencing a new wave of immigration.


                           current situation

       The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service predicts 
     that in the 1990s the U.S. will receive the largest number of 
     immigrants of any decade in our nation's history: 10 million 
     people, almost twice the population of Indiana. This 
     surpasses the previous record decade for immigration, 1901-
     1910, which had less than 9 million immigrants.
       However, because our population has grown greatly since the 
     early 1900s, the percentage of foreign-born people is 
     actually far less than earlier in this century. Foreign-born 
     people currently represents 9% of the American population, 
     which is half the proportion they made up in 1910. Indiana 
     ranks among states with fewest immigrants. Legal and illegal 
     immigrants are only about 1% of the state's population, with 
     a smaller percentage in Southern Indiana.


                               the issue

       Views on immigration vary widely. Some believe we should be 
     open to all who seek new opportunities and hope to escape 
     persecution. Others believe that immigration policies must be 
     tempered to prevent newcomers from taking away American jobs. 
     Some support immigration as a source of low-wage labor. 
     Others are concerned that immigration is bringing about a 
     cultural change in America. They often speak of a total 
     moratorium on immigration.
       Most Hoosiers favor decreasing legal immigration, and are 
     upset about the presence of illegal immigrants. Nationwide, 
     polls show that 80% of Americans favor reduced immigration 
     levels.


                             Who is Coming

       In 1995, the U.S. took in about 720,000 legal immigrants. 
     Most (64%) were admitted because they are immediate family 
     members of U.S. citizens.
       The second-largest group (16%) was composed of refugees and 
     asylum-seekers fleeing persecution in their homelands and 
     seeking freedom in our country. A relatively small number 
     (12%) were admitted because they possess special professional 
     skills and high education which would significantly 
     contribute to our economy and society. The smallest category 
     (7%) included people admitted to bring about greater 
     geographic diversity in the immigrant pool. Most were from 
     Western European countries.


                            Economic Impact

       Some Americans believe that immigrants cause a drain on the 
     economy, since they benefit from social services such as 
     welfare, education, and health care. However, there is strong 
     evidence that immigrants overall help the economy. A recent 
     study by the National Academy of Sciences found that the 
     average immigrant contributes $1800 more in taxes each year 
     than he or she receives in benefits. The study said this is 
     because immigrants tend to be highly motivated and experience 
     faster wage growth than native-born Americans.
       Immigrants sometimes take jobs away from native-born 
     Americans, with the greatest impact on unskilled jobs in big 
     cities. But it is also the case that immigrants have created 
     many new jobs by spending their wages, establishing 
     businesses, buying services, and paying taxes.
       Immigration also helps shore up the Social Security system, 
     adding to the labor force at a time when fewer workers will 
     have to support more retirees. Europe and Japan, which take 
     in fewer immigrants than we do, are straining under the 
     burden of aging populations.
       Overall, the best available figures suggest that the 
     government spends more per capita for native-born Americans 
     than for immigrants, roughly $3800 versus $2200 per year. In 
     short, immigrants on average put more into the public coffers 
     and take out less than native-Americans.


                             Social Impact

       Those who wish to reduce immigration often claim that 
     large-scale immigration is associated with crime and social 
     break-down, especially in big cities with high concentrations 
     of newcomers such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. 
     Yet others point out that immigration seems to bring some 
     social benefits, too. Experts believe that one reason for 
     New York City's economic renaissance and falling crime 
     rate is the influx of hard-working, enterprising 
     immigrants who have helped rebuild formerly run-down 
     neighborhoods.
       A more serious problem is the cultural challenge posed by 
     the changing character of immigration. Modern transportation 
     and communications technology has made it easier for today's 
     newcomers--primarily from Latin America and Asia--to keep 
     their old language and culture. In addition, immigration from 
     Mexico is concentrated in the Southwest, which inhibits the 
     full integration of this group into the broader society and 
     culture.


                               Conclusion

       It is popular to blame immigrants, both legal and illegal, 
     for many American problems. There is always the temptation 
     for politicians to demonize aliens. My conclusion is that 
     while immigration produces both costs and benefits, on 
     balance it strengthens our nation.
       I believe that Congress must pay more attention to 
     immigration. Our responsibility is to set reasonable limits 
     on numbers and rearrange preferences to maximize the positive 
     aspects of immigration. For example, I doubt that it is in 
     our interest to continue to emphasize family preferences to 
     the detriment of highly skilled applicants.
       If we fail to reduce the rate of legal immigration, and do 
     not crack down on illegal immigration, the quality of life in 
     this country will decline. But we cannot completely bar the 
     door to newcomers. Immigrants bring vitality, freshness, and 
     diversity that enriches the country. I believe that a well-
     regulated system of legal immigration is in our national 
     interest.
       The motto that appears on our currency--``E Pluribus 
     Unum'', out of many, one--reminds us that maintaining the 
     unity of our nation of immigrants is one of America's 
     greatest historic achievements. It will also be one of our 
     greatest challenges in the years ahead.

     

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