[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 36 (Monday, March 19, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2474-S2475]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. Daschle, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Dodd, Mr. 
        Graham, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Reed, Mr. Kerry, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. 
        Corzine, Mr. Durbin, and Mrs. Boxer):
  S. 562. A bill to amend the immigration and Nationality Act with 
respect to the record of admission for permanent residence in the case 
of certain aliens; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. REID, Mr. President, family reunification is the cornerstone of 
our immigration policy. It is truly one of the most visible areas in 
government policy in which we support and strengthen family values.
  Family unification translates into strong families and strong 
families build strong communities. For that reason I am introducing the 
Working Families Registry Act.
  This bill would allow immigrants who have been working and raising 
families in the country since and before 1986 to apply for permanent 
residence.
  In my home State of Nevada I have met with people who everyday fear 
being deported and separated from their families. They are married to 
Americans, have American children and have worked and been paying taxes 
for many years. They help and do not harm our industry and our economy.
  A change in the date of registry would help these families. This bill 
would solve the problem of immigrants who have been paying taxes, who 
have feared being deported and separated from their families.
  The Working Families Registry Act would update a provision of 
immigration law known as ``registry.''
  The registry provision originated in a 1929 law and in 1958 that law 
became available to foreigners who had entered the country illegally or 
who had overstayed. This criteria remains today and sets a required 
date for which continuous residence must be shown in order to qualify 
for permanent U.S. residency. The date of registry currently sits at 
1972, and was last adjusted in 1986. My legislation would update the 
date of registry from 1972 to 1986. A change in the date of registry is 
necessary.
  First, it would address the uncertainty of taxpaying immigrants who 
would qualify for residence under this bill. Many of these immigrants 
live in fear of being separated from their families, having their 
worker's permits stripped and their residency status revoked.
  Secondly, the legislation would help strengthen the immigrant 
contributions to our national economy, tax base, and social fabric. The 
guaranteed benefits of residence (e.g., access to basic health care and 
education) provide for a more productive and effective workforce.
  Third, we recognize today, as so many legislators did in the past 
that immigrants who have remained in the country for an extended period 
of time are highly unlikely to leave.
  Fourth, if an update of the registry is not achieved, the validity of 
this concept will be meaningless when this issue emerges in the future.
  Finally, Americans care about this issue.
  A recent poll conducted by the National Immigration Forum found that 
55 percent of Americans strongly favor legalizing a limited number of 
undocumented immigrants. That is, those immigrants who have been 
raising their families and paying their taxes--and who can prove they 
have been in the United States for more than 5 years.

[[Page S2475]]

  I believe it is in America's interest to pass The Working Families 
Registry Act.
  Immigrants' relationships with the United States are predicated by 
the recognition of America's greatness. And, keeping families together, 
keeps America great.
  Please join my efforts to make this bill law, as we continue to seek 
ways to keep America's working families together.
                                 ______