[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E73]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     MASS IMMIGRATION REDUCTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. BOB STUMP

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 19, 1999

  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, on January 6, with the support of 48 original 
cosponsors, I introduced the Mass Immigration Reduction Act. My bill, 
formerly called the Immigration Moratorium Act, provides for a 
significant, but temporary, cut in legal immigration to the United 
States.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that many Members of this body would be 
surprised to learn that the immigrant population is now growing faster 
than at any time in our nation's history. The number of immigrants 
living in the United States has almost tripled since 1970, from 9.6 
million to 26.3 million. This profusion in immigrants has a profound 
and costly impact on our way of life. For example, the net annual 
current fiscal burden imposed on native households at all levels of 
government by immigrant households nationally is estimated to range 
from $14.8 to $20.2 billion. As troubling, the poverty rate for 
immigrants is nearly 50 percent higher than that of natives. This 
suggests that our immigration policies are not only unfair to citizens, 
but are a disservice to immigrants who come here looking for a better, 
more prosperous way of life. As federal legislators, we have an 
obligation to take a serious look at our immigration policies and the 
problems that stem from them. It is our duty to devise an immigration 
system that is in our nation's best interest.
  Under my proposed legislation, immigration would be limited to the 
spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens, 25,000 refugees, 5,000 
employment-based priority workers and a limited number of immigrants 
currently waiting in the immigration backlog. The changes would expire 
after five years, provided no adverse impact would result from an 
immigration increase. Total immigration under my bill would be around 
300,000 per year, down from the current level of about one million 
annually. I should emphasize that my bill is not intended to serve as a 
permanent long-term immigration policy. It would provide a lull in 
legal immigration, during which time we would have an opportunity to 
reevaluate America's immigration needs and set up more appropriate 
conditions under which immigrants may become permanent residents of the 
United States.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, let me stress that we should continue to 
welcome immigrants to our great country. However, we should do so under 
a well-regulated policy that is based upon America's needs and 
interests. Currently, we lack such a policy. Our system allows for 
unmanageable levels of immigrants with little regard for the impact the 
levels have on our limited ability to absorb and assimilate newcomers. 
I strongly urge my colleagues to examine our immigration system and ask 
themselves whether it is in the best interests of their constituents to 
continue the unprecedented trend of mass immigration. I encourage 
Members to support my bill, and look forward to productive debate on 
this important issue.

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