[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 81 (Monday, June 14, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1101]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           IMMIGRATION REFORM

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 14, 2004

  Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I want to express the need for discussion on 
true immigration reform.
  With over eight million illegal immigrants in the U.S., and 
approximately half a million more entering the U.S. annually, it is now 
time for Congress to be diligent in trying to truly engage in 
discussion on how we can effectively manage immigration here in the 
U.S.
  I do not support illegal immigration. I also do not support amnesty 
for undocumented immigrants. Individuals who violate America's laws 
should not be rewarded for illegal behavior, and I believe amnesty 
perpetuates illegal immigration. The fact that there are eight million 
undocumented immigrants estimated to live in the U.S. illustrates alone 
that previous amnesty programs have not worked.
  I am seeing the effects of immigration with regards to healthcare and 
our hospitals. This burden is not a problem because of illegal 
immigration alone. Legal immigrants are working citizens, but many do 
not have benefits such as health insurance. They are forced to ignore 
health problems until they're magnified and eventually forced to seek 
care in emergency rooms. Unfortunately, these costs often must be 
absorbed by hospitals, taxpayers and private insurance policy holders 
through higher premiums.
  We are appropriating funds to deal with issues such as these in the 
short-term, but we also have to start having discussions on long-term 
solutions to legal and illegal immigration. Being uninsured is only 
part of the problem.
  We must not lose sight of the significant role immigration has played 
in the development of the United States. We must be wise as we move 
into unchartered waters regarding new immigration policies. We must 
look for ways to construct positive steps that will ultimately lead to 
a better life for everyone.

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