[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
[August 2, 1996]
[Pages 1248-1249]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich on 
Proposed Legislation on Illegal Immigration Enforcement
August 2, 1996

Dear Mr. Speaker:
    Reversing decades of neglect, this Administration has dedicated 
unprecedented resources and enforcement effort to curtailing illegal 
immigration. Our comprehensive strategy to restore the rule of law to 
illegal immigration enforcement has done more in three years than was 
done in thirty years before. It includes:
      1) Gaining control of our borders. This Administration is 
        deploying more Border Patrol agents than any previous 
        Administration. In FY 1996, we will deploy an additional 1,000 
        new and reassigned agents. Overall, the Administration has 
        increased the number of Border Patrol agents at the southwest 
        border by 40% since 1993. For the first time, Border Patrol 
        agents are being equipped with the high technology resources 
        needed to do the job, including sensors, night scopes, computers 
        and encrypted radios. Strengthened anti-smuggling efforts have 
        reduced the criminal transport and exploitation of smuggled 
        aliens.
      2) Safeguarding the interests of legal workers. This 
        Administration is the first to initiate effective enforcement of 
        employer sanctions and worksite standards. In addition, I issued 
        an Executive Order to keep federal contracts from going to 
        businesses that

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        knowingly hire illegal workers. We are also testing a computer 
        work authorization verification system and are creating more 
        fraud-resistant immigration documents.
      3) Removing criminal and other deportable aliens from the country. 
        In 1995, this Administration removed a record number of criminal 
        and other illegal aliens from this country--74% more than in FY 
        1990.
    Most of H.R. 2202, the Immigration in the National Interest Act, 
supports the steps we have taken. I continue to urge Congress to pass 
these provisions and present me with the additional tools that I need to 
continue the progress we have made.
    However, there is a right way and a wrong way to fight illegal 
immigration. The Gallegly Amendment and the compromise being considered 
during the conference process would result in kicking children out of 
school and onto the streets. The street is no place for children to 
learn; children should be in school. This proposal is an unacceptable 
and ineffective way to fight illegal immigration. And the proposed 
compromise--which will still require states to verify the immigration 
status of all children, and permit states to exclude those who cannot 
afford to pay tuition--is as objectionable as the original provision. 
Congress should reject it.
    If the immigration bill contains this provision, I will veto it. We 
can agree on so much in the legislation that would help what we are 
already doing. Let us move forward with illegal immigration enforcement 
legislation without this misguided measure.
        Sincerely,

                                                            Bill Clinton

Note: This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
August 3.