Arlen Specter: “On the issue as to the contention by the Senator from Colorado that they are moving ahead of people who are here…”

“On the issue as to the contention by the Senator from Colorado that they are moving ahead of people who are here legally, factually I believe that is not so. The bill is structured to clear up the backlog of all of those people who are waiting now, and they will have their status resolved in an 8-year period--those who are following the procedures which are legal at the present time. It is after that occurs that the 12 million undocumented immigrants will come in, and then there will be points preference for those among the illegals who are here, who are the farm workers. I do not believe we are putting anybody who is here illegally ahead of those who are here legally.”