[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 107 (Friday, July 25, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1524]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ``THWARTING OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS''

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                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 25, 1997

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, this administration has proved once again 
that they are soft on illegal immigration. Two weeks ago, I was 
outraged when Attorney General Janet Reno had defied the clear will of 
Congress and halted the deportation of thousands of illegal aliens. Mr. 
Speaker, the very person appointed to uphold the laws passed by this 
legislative body is now trying to find ways around them. I find that 
absolutely unacceptable.
  Yesterday, the Clinton administration presented to this Congress a 
proposal to weaken the immigration reform law the President signed less 
than a year ago. They claim there are special circumstances for some 
that should allow them to stay in this country beyond what the law 
allows. Mr. Speaker, I believe there may be a heart-wrenching story 
behind every man, woman or child that wishes to enter this country and 
tries to do so illegally. But we cannot begin to arbitrarily pick 
winners and losers. I urge my colleagues to reject this and any other 
proposal to revisit this issue and weaken our immigration laws.
  Last year, we purposely raised the bar on those seeking to enter this 
country by means of political asylum because we knew the process was 
being abused. It was not an oversight and it was not done secretly. If 
the administration had an objection, it should have been addressed at 
that time. To come back to this argument is not only a mistake, but a 
breach of the delicate relationship between Congress and the 
administration. To use the Attorney General of the United States to 
undermine the laws we pass is unacceptable.
  Mr. Speaker, several of my colleagues and I have sent a letter to the 
Attorney General urging her not to find ways to break our laws for the 
political will of the President. I hope my colleagues will stand with 
us in blocking any attempt to try and weaken our immigration laws by 
either stopping deportations by an administrative order or by new 
legislation. It is not just a violation of what this Congress passed 
less than a year ago, it is an act of defiance against those citizens 
who have suffered from the effects of illegal immigration. Mr. Speaker, 
this is just one more way in which this President and his 
administration have tried to weaken what it means to be a citizen of 
the United States.

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