[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.