Lateefah Simon: “I do not want to postpone this much longer. Let us just say Christopher Reeve was a sponsor, and he went through this…”

“I do not want to postpone this much longer. Let us just say Christopher Reeve was a sponsor, and he went through this devastating accident. Let us say the people he sponsored live in Oklahoma in a rural community and they take advantage of transportation for the elderly and the disabled. Under this proposal, without my amendment, they can be deported. I do not think that is what the American people want. I do not think that is what the U.S. Senate wants. I really do not believe even my good friend, Alan Simpson, wants that, upon greater reflection. I hope we will conform the language to the way it is in the House and say on the six programs--AFDC, SSI, food stamps, Medicaid, housing, and State cash assistance--if they take advantage of these programs for a year, then they can be deported. That is even harsher, frankly, than I would like, because I think there will be some circumstances that are unusual. To just say sweepingly for any kind of Federal program you can be deported, like the Stafford Loan Program, I think is a real mistake. I hope the Senate will accept my amendment.”