[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 43 (Monday, October 30, 2000)]
[Page 2627]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Need for Congressional Action on the ``Latino and 
Immigrant Fairness Act''

October 25, 2000

    It is long past time that we correct several injustices and provide 
fairness in our immigration system by enacting the ``Latino and 
Immigrant Fairness Act.'' This legislation is a straightforward proposal 
to keep families together and to make our immigration policies more 
equitable. This legislation would help individuals and their families 
who have been living for many years in the United States and have 
developed strong ties to their communities to adjust their immigration 
status. My administration has been trying to negotiate with Republicans, 
but unfortunately, current Republican proposals would not help most of 
the immigrants that would get relief under the ``Latino and Immigrant 
Fairness Act,'' and would perpetuate the current patchwork of 
contradictory and unfair immigration policies. These injustices should 
be corrected by Congress before they adjourn this year. If these issues 
are not resolved, I will veto the Commerce, Justice, State 
appropriations.