[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16369]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS OF IMMIGRANTS TO THE UNITED STATES

  (Mr. BACA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I speak on behalf of the 12 to 14 million 
immigrants in the United States.
  Throughout history, America has been a Nation of immigrants. For 
decades, immigrants have contributed with their heart, sweat, and tears 
to have the American dream like the rest of us.
  Immigrant families continue to pay property taxes in the form of 
rent, pay sales taxes on every purchase, and most importantly, 
contribute to Social Security without legally having any claim to any 
of it. Yet, there are those who wish to downplay these positive 
contributions for political gain.
  You don't see many local governments turning away taxes paid by 
undocumented immigrants. However, you do see local governments spending 
these tax dollars to create anti-immigration legislation that strip 
away families of basic services.
  I urge my colleagues to get past the anti-immigrant myths and look at 
the facts about the true positive contributions of immigrants.
  We must stand firm and pass comprehensive immigration reform.

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