    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [July 24, 1997]
    [Page 996]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 996]]

    Statement on Proposed Immigration Reform Transition Legislation
    July 24, 1997

        I am pleased to transmit to the Congress today the ``Immigration
    Reform Transition Act of 1997.'' This proposal reflects my commitment to
    balance firm controls against illegal immigration with common sense and
    compassion. It would provide a needed transition for individuals who
    apply for a form of immigration relief called suspension of deportation
    and who had immigration cases pending before the 1996 immigration law
    took effect. It would prevent the inherent unfairness of applying new
    rules to old cases.
        This legislation also addresses the special circumstances of Central
    Americans who came to our country because of civil war and upheaval.
    Today, the remarkable progress in that region means that many of those
    people can return home. But as I assured the leaders of Central America
    when I visited the region in May, we want that to occur in a manner that
    avoids destabilizing the nations and economies of Central America or
    imposing undue hardships on families. We also want to make sure that
    people who sought refuge in our country and who have contributed greatly
    to their local communities here in the United States are treated with
    fairness and dignity. To meet that commitment, this proposal ensures
    that certain groups of Central Americans whose cases were pending before
    the new immigration law took effect would be eligible to apply for
    suspension of deportation under the prior rules.
        I am determined to do all I can to preserve our Nation's tradition
    of generous legal immigration. But just as we are a nation of
    immigrants, we also are a nation of laws. To uphold the tradition of
    generous legal immigration and to do right by legal immigrants, we need
    to continue working to stop illegal immigration. The bill I am
    submitting today in no way diminishes the important enforcement
    objectives of the 1996 immigration bill, nor is it an amnesty or waiver
    program. Rather, it eases the transition to the new law for individuals
    who have put down deep roots in the United States, and it advances our
    Nation's strategic interest in promoting peace, prosperity, and
    stability in Central America.