[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 24 (Thursday, February 7, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H1398-H1399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN HARMS LEGAL IMMIGRATION

  (Mr. SPANO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SPANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call on the leadership of 
both parties to end the possibility of another government shutdown 
before next Friday.
  Many in this Chamber oppose President Trump's plans to secure our 
border because they believe that doing so would send a negative 
message, a message that immigrants are not welcome in this Nation. This 
is simply not true.
  Just yesterday, I met with farmers from my district who told me how 
very much they rely on skilled foreign labor. One farmer in particular 
advertised 800 jobs and, in fact, did not receive a single American 
applicant.
  These farmers also expressed concern that, if the government shutdown 
continued, they will be unable to hire workers abroad because the State 
Department would not conduct the necessary hearings for H-2A visas. 
This is

[[Page H1399]]

not acceptable, and we can and must do better.
  The strong economy led by President Trump has created more jobs than 
there are Americans to fill them, and we want to encourage legal 
immigration not only to fill a need, but also because immigrants create 
a stronger America. After all, without legal immigration, my great-
grandfather, Francisco Spano, would not have immigrated here from 
Italy, and I would not be standing before this House today.
  Mr. Speaker, it is time for this House to come together to avert 
another shutdown, continue growing our economy, and push for an 
immigration system that is fair, just, and inclusive for all.

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