On the recordDecember 8, 2010
I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding. Mr. Speaker, when my grandmother came over here and landed at Ellis Island, 2 percent were sent back. We had a merit system, and you had to meet those standards. I believe in an immigration policy that is designed to enhance the economic, the social, and the cultural well-being of the United States of America. This immigration policy is for America. We can't relieve all of the poverty in the world. That is completely impossible. Today, our immigration structure is this: between 7 and 11 percent of our legal immigration is based on merit, and the balance of it is out of our control as far as setting any standards. If we are going to be a great Nation we have to have a policy that is established to promote American exceptionalism. This bill does not. I urge a ``no'' vote. {time} 2020
