    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [February 13, 1996]
    [Pages 246-247]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Executive Order on Illegal Immigration
    February 13, 1996

        We are a nation of immigrants. But we are also a nation of laws. My
    administration has put in place a comprehensive strategy to address the
    problem of illegal immigration. Over the past 3 years, we have begun to
    reverse years of neglect at the border, with a 50 percent increase in
    border patrol agents and new technology to stop illegal crossings. We
    are deporting record numbers of criminals and other deportable aliens.
    But all this will not stem the tide of illegal immigration if we do not
    reduce the job magnet that draws illegal immigrants to this country.
        It is against the law for businesses to hire workers who are illegal
    immigrants and are not authorized to work in the United States. For too
    long, however, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has
    lacked the resources needed for vigorous enforcement. My administration
    has provided the INS with the resources

    [[Page 247]]

    it needs to enforce the law. We have made it easier for employers who
    want to comply with the law. At the same time we have cracked down on
    employers who repeatedly violate the law. But we must do more.
        Today I am signing the Executive order on immigration that I
    announced in my State of the Union Address. This Executive order keeps
    Federal contracts from going to businesses that knowingly hire illegal
    workers. It reinforces the principle that Government business--and tax
    dollars--should not be directed to employers who knowingly hire illegal
    workers. And for the first time, it will subject those companies to
    Governmentwide debarment. This will help the efficiency of our
    Government. And it will have the effect of increasing respect for our
    laws. The Executive order is simple and straightforward. It will neither
    burden employers with needless paperwork, nor place unreasonable demands
    on Government contracting agencies.
        At the same time, I want to make clear that we will not tolerate
    employment discrimination. Federal laws prohibit employers from
    discriminating against employees or new hires on the basis of national
    origin or race. These antidiscrimination laws protect legal workers, and
    I am determined that our strengthened enforcement of illegal immigration
    laws will not weaken these protections.
        American jobs belong to America's legal workers. This Executive
    order will make clear that when it comes to enforcing our Nation's
    immigration laws, we mean business. We are determined to restore the
    rule of law to our Nation's immigration system.

    Note: The Executive order is listed in Appendix D at the end of this
    volume.