[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 159 (Friday, November 16, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H8252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        AN IMMIGRATION LOOPHOLE

  (Mr. DUNCAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, we are tightening security everywhere as we 
should, but we are about to make a big mistake by reinstituting a big 
loophole. Some are seeking to revive the part of our immigration law 
called section 245(i). This law lets illegal aliens, if they are 
married or related to a legal resident or sponsored by an employer, 
simply pay a $1,000 fee for instant legalization. These lawbreakers do 
not have to leave the country and they do not even have to undergo any 
background checks.
  Section 245(i) violates usual legal requirements. It is an amnesty. 
It led to a rush of sham marriages last April when the 245(i) deadline 
expired. Some sham marriages have been connected with accused 
terrorists. Without background checks, we do not know if the illegals 
using 245(i) are terrorists or criminals or sympathizers of our 
enemies.
  Mr. Speaker, we should permanently dump 245(i). Illegal aliens should 
have to go back to their home country first. We need to be a nation of 
laws. We cannot afford this security risk.

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