[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 111 (Tuesday, September 19, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H7741-H7742]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IMMIGRANTS IN HIGH-TECH INDUSTRY PROVIDE ECONOMIC SECURITY

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I think it is possible for 
this great body to address the concerns of many, if there is an effort 
to deliberate and concentrate and generate a solution.
  This week, we may have the opportunity to look closely at the needs 
of our high-tech industry with respect to additional personnel. It is 
called the H1-B nonimmigrant visas. As many of us have heard and as the 
country has heard, this high-tech industry has been an anchor of our 
economic boom.
  However, at the same time, there are serious humanitarian issues that 
I believe warrant our consideration. One of them deals with the 
providing of late amnesty options for thousands upon thousands of 
immigrants who have been living in this country and paying taxes, 
buying homes and raising their children, but because of an INS mistake, 
were not able to apply for late amnesty. Then we have the parity that 
needs to occur for Central America similar to that given to any 
Nicaraguans and Cubans so that the fairness will allow families to 
remain united.
  Then, as we look at the nonimmigrant visas, it is important to 
protect American workers and to provide opportunities for employment in 
the high-tech industry for African Americans and Hispanics. We can do 
good if we put our minds to it.

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