Young Oak Kim: “I am concerned that in H.R. 4, the welfare reform legislation, as introduced, unjustly treats taxpaying legal immigrants…”

“I am concerned that in H.R. 4, the welfare reform legislation, as introduced, unjustly treats taxpaying legal immigrants the same as illegal aliens. The two are very different. Therefore, today I am introducing legislation that will ensure that taxpaying legal immigrants are not discriminated against. I am encouraged that the behind the scenes work I have already undertaken appears to have brought the Speaker's and other Republican leaders' attention to this problem. I very much welcome their willingness to fix their oversight. My intention in introducing this bill is to make readily available--to the appropriate committee and subcommittee chairmen--legislative language to fix this flaw. Having introduced this bill, I am hopeful it can be amended into H.R. 4 as soon as possible. Legal immigrants should not be used as an excuse for a broken-down welfare system that has failed to bring people out of poverty. The majority of those who receive benefits are either American citizens or illegal aliens. The frustrations of this country's failed attempts to curb the illegal immigration crisis should not turn into a backlash on legal immigrants. These law abiding immigrants patiently wait and study for 5 years to become U.S. citizens while illegal aliens have no regard for the law. Legal immigrants contribute to the national identity, whereas illegal immigrants can all too often become a burden to the Nation's taxpayer.”