Bruce F. Vento: “I rise today to oppose H.R. 2202, the Immigration and National Interest Act. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is not in the…”

“I rise today to oppose H.R. 2202, the Immigration and National Interest Act. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is not in the Nation's best interest, as the title erroneously suggests. While I agree that measures must be undertaken to reduce the influx of illegal immigrants crossing our Nation's borders, this measure goes too far by punishing legal immigrants. Like the welfare reform measure enacted into law earlier this year, H.R. 2202 would establish a ban on means-tested Federal assistance for legal immigrants. These are not illegal immigrants, but rather those who have followed the procedures and policies of the Federal Government to enter and live lawfully in this country. Even though I supported the overall welfare measure on final passage, I specifically do not agree with the provisions that would deny legal immigrants public benefits. President Clinton has agreed that these provisions are misguided, and he has stated his commitment to see them modified. I support such changes. H.R. 2202, however, includes almost those same provisions, altering deeming requirements for legal immigrants that would effectively make them ineligible for most means-tested public assistance. This measure has a provision that states that legal immigrants can be deported for accepting a Federal student aid loan and even for attending federally funded English classes. How can a legal immigrant learn the English language and pass the citizenship test with such a policy in place?”