Burgess Owens: “I rise in opposition to the Immigration in the National Interest Act, H.R. 2202. This bill is a misnomer, for it…”

“I rise in opposition to the Immigration in the National Interest Act, H.R. 2202. This bill is a misnomer, for it denounces a historical tradition of the United States--to welcome different cultures that add to the richness of this diverse land. On the contrary, H.R. 2202 is not in the national interest of the United States. It further reinforces the modern conservative tactic for solving the Nation's current economic and social woes: Blame the poor, our children, African-Americans, women, and immigrants. H.R. 2202 is an underhanded assault on the foreign-born, in general. This bill would punish those who illegally exploit America's generosity, along with those who legitimately seek an opportunity in America. By unifying the illegal and legal immigration problem, H.R. 2202 makes the mistake of lumping everyone together, whether they commit a crime or not. The bill reflects a number of misconceptions that have infiltrated the policy debate on immigration. Unconscionably, H.R. 2202 would reduce the number of legal immigrants by 30 percent. This reduction unreasonably implies that the United States is plagued by an illegal and legal immigration invasion. The number of foreign-born that enters this country each year is 1 million. Of that number, 700,000 are legal immigrants.”