[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 32 (Monday, August 12, 1996)]
[Pages 1398-1399]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to the Speaker of the House on Illegal Immigration Legislation

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 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

[[Page 1399]]

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.