[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 29, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H9628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ON SECTION 245(I)

  (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, today we will be voting on preserving 
an important immigration provision, section 245(i), 245(i) benefits 
America. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and major American corporations 
such as Xerox, Microsoft, and Ford strongly support the extension of 
245(i). These American businesses know just how essential well-skilled 
and qualified immigrants are to our economy as they cause our 
businesses to prosper. They, too, are American consumers and 
innovators.
  The reality is that if 245(i) is not extended, the only thing that we 
would be hurting would be the productivity of our country; 245(i) helps 
especially to keep families together. It especially helps businesses to 
retain skilled workers. It brings up to $200 million a year to our 
Treasury. And 245(i) does not give special benefits to illegal 
immigrants.
  The U.S. Senate has voted to extend this provision. I urge my 
colleagues to support America and help keep families together by 
extending 245(i) today.

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