[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1492-E1493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE SECURITY AND FAIRNESS ENHANCEMENT FOR AMERICA ACT

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                        HON. WILLIAM L. JENKINS

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2004

  Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, a significant majority of Americans 
believes that current immigration levels need to be reduced, according 
to consistent polling results over the last decade. This country 
currently admits about one million new legal immigrants every year. An 
undetermined number come in illegally. Realistically, it will take 
several years to produce the comprehensive reforms that are needed. 
However, there is something that we can do now to improve the 
situation.
  In 1990, immigration laws were changed to include a new diversity 
lottery program. The premise of this new program was to encourage more 
immigration from nations that were not already sending large numbers to 
the United States. Unfortunately, the current format for this lottery 
program are subject to fraud and abuse and leave our nation exposed to 
those who may seek to do harm on American soil.
  Under this program, any applicant that applies under the current 
setup for this program may be chosen at random and given the status of 
a permanent resident simply based upon luck. We already have a tragic 
example of the potential for danger with the story of Hesham Mohamed 
Ali Hedayet, the gunmen who killed two people at the Los Angeles 
International Airport in July of 2002. The investigation of this 
shooting revealed that the gunman had been in the U.S. illegally, but 
his wife won the visa lottery. This enabled the husband to apply for 
permanent status and remain in the country to commit his crimes.
  There are also a number of stories of fraud and abuse that have been 
identified by the Inspector General of the State Department. Duplicate 
applications, identity fraud, and forged documents have been found to 
be commonplace in these reviews, leaving our national security at risk.
  The current diversity visa program does a disservice to our 
immigration policy and to those immigrants who have moved through the 
more traditional process that allows them to lawfully reside in this 
country. Combining this with the clear threats to our national 
security, it is imperative that we take steps to reform this dangerous 
program.
  Legislation has been introduced that I have cosponsored, H.R. 775, 
the Security and Fairness Enhancement for America Act, which

[[Page E1493]]

would eliminate the visa lottery program. The House Immigration 
Subcommittee has held a hearing on the proposal, and we should continue 
efforts to move it promptly through the legislative process.

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