Senator KENNEDY. Senator Hatch?

STATEMENT OF HON. ORRIN G. HATCH, A U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF UTAH

Senator HATCH. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to commend you for holding this hearing today. This is a very important hearing, and I believe it will get us on the track of doing what really has to be done in these areas.

I believe that the discussion we are engaging in today is very timely and very appropriate-appropriate in the sense that, as President Bush has recently remarked, the issue of immigration and immigration reform is a complex one. Because it is complex, I applaud the administration's careful consideration with regard to a comprehensive plan of action. Resolving the issues at hand requires reflective thought and discussion. These witnesses before us can, and I am sure will, offer valuable viewpoints to this Committee.

Immigration has long been one of the important issues within this Committee's jurisdiction and one that has often accompanied bipartisan consensus. In fact, last night was a prime example of the type of bipartisan effort to which I refer. I want to congratulate the President as well as Senator Kennedy, Chairman Sensenbrenner, Senator Brownback, the ranking member on our Immigration Subcommittee, along with Senator Kennedy, who is chairman, Senator Hagel, Senator Kyl, and many others for their efforts to arrive at a strong, bipartisan, bicameral compromise on the so-called 245(i) legislation.

In addition, last year Senator Kennedy and I worked on legislation supporting family reunification and immigration policies which serve to keep families intact. Also, we have in recent years successfully worked together on expansion of the H-1B program, which allows necessary workers to come to and work in the United States in professional positions. I certainly look forward to working closely with the administration and members of this body to enact useful immigration reforms this Congress.

Over the past few months, three primary immigration reform models have been discussed, those being: one, amnesty; two, a guest worker program; and, three, the enactment of various "earned adjustment" provisions. On each, there are strongly held views, and I very much look forward to all of the witnesses' thoughts and comments here today.

Before I conclude my remarks, however, I hope you will indulge me, Mr. Chairman, while I plug the DREAM Act, S. 1291, which I introduced just last month. This bill, which is similar to legislation recently introduced by Senator Durbin, is an example of an earned adjustment provision. The concept of earned adjustment contemplates the giving of a benefit based on a personal accomplishment that benefits society as a whole. Under the DREAM Act, an alien child who is a long-term illegal resident of the United States and is otherwise a respecter of the law can earn permanent residency upon graduation from a qualified institute of higher education. While I recognize that the current emphasis is appropriately on worker migration, I think that emphasis should also be placed on the plight of illegally present children and their efforts

to better themselves by pursuing higher education. So I look forward to working with Senators Durbin and Kennedy on our respective bills and try to get something done on this important matter as soon as possible.

I am very pleased with the work that Senator Kennedy and Senator Brownback have been able to do together thus far. Senator Brownback, who is new on our Committee, has really, I think, jumped into these important issues, these very difficult issues, and is paying the price to really master them. And I think, Mr. Chairman, you are going to enjoy working with him, and certainly I hope that I can be a constructive and helpful force here for both of you as well.

So, again, Mr. Chairman, thank you for scheduling this very meaningful hearing. I look forward to the comments of the witnesses, and I can only be here for a short while. I would ask that Senator Brownback take my position as ranking on the Committee for the purposes of this hearing.

[The prepared statement of Senator Hatch follows.]

STATEMENT OF HON. ORRIN G. HATCH, A U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF UTAH I believe the discussion we're engaging in today is timely and appropriate. Appropriate in the sense that, as President Bush has recently remarked, the issue of immigration and immigration reform is a complex one. Because it is complex, I applaud the Administration's careful consideration with regard to a comprehensive plan of action. Resolving the issues at hand requires reflective thought and discussion. These witnesses before us can, and I'm sure will, offer valuable viewpoints.

Immigration has long been one of the important issues within this committee's jurisdiction and one that has often accompanied bipartisan consensus. In fact, last night was a prime example of the type of bipartisan effort to which I refer. I want to congratulate the President as well as Senator Kennedy, Chairman Sesenbrenner, Senator Hagel, Senator Kyl, and many others for their efforts to arrive at a strong, bipartisan, bicameral compromise on the so-called 245(i) legislation.

In addition, last year Senator Kennedy and I worked on legislation supporting family reunification and immigration policies which serve to keep families intact. Also, we have in recent years successfully worked together on expansion of the H1B program, which allows necessary workers to come to and work in the United States in professional positions. I certainly look forward to working closely with the Administration and members of this body to enact useful immigration reforms this Congress.

Over the past few months, three primary immigration reform models have been discussed. Those being: (1) "amnesty"; (2) a guest worker program; and (3) the enactment of various "earned adjustment" provisions. On each, there are strongly held views and I very much look forward to all of the witnesses thoughts and comments. Before I conclude my remarks however, I hope you'll indulge me, Mr. Chairman, while I plug the DREAM Act (S. 1291), which I introduced just last month. The bill, which is similar to legislation recently introduced by Senator Durbin, is an example of an "earned adjustment" provision. The concept of "earned adjustment" contemplates the giving of a benefit based on a personal accomplishment that benefits society as a whole. Under the DREAM Act, an alien child who is a long-term illegal resident of the United States and is otherwise a respecter of the law can "earn" permanent residency upon graduation from a qualified institute of higher education. While I recognize that the current emphasis is appropriately on worker migration, I think that emphasis should also be placed on the plight of illegally present children and their efforts to better themselves by pursuing higher education. I look forward to working with Senators Durbin and Kennedy on our respective bills and to try to get something done on this important matter as soon as possible.

Senator KENNEDY. Thank you very much, and I will just mention for the record Senator Hatch's help in making sure the Committee was able to report out 245(i), which he referenced earlier. It was touch-and-go there for a while, but we were able to achieve it, and I thank our colleagues here. I see Senator Specter, who is a strong

supporter of that program. And I would like to recognize Senator Brownback, who was the chairman of the Immigration Committee for a little while, and I enjoyed working under his tutelage. The Immigration Subcommittee has been a small Committee over the years, but we have been able to get things done. Senator Brownback has gotten into this issue and become very involved and very active, and is already a significant leader in it. I welcome his comments here.

Senator HATCH. Mr. Chairman and Senator Brownback, if I could just make one comment, thank you for your kind remarks. That was a big thing yesterday to get that done. I was so impressed with President Vicente Fox yesterday and his desire to really bring our nations together in ways that really need to be accomplished. And I am just very grateful to the two leaders on the Immigration Subcommittee and the work that they do, and also Senator Specter, who plays a very, very important role on the full Committee as a whole.

STATEMENT OF HON. SAM BROWNBACK, A U.S. SENATOR

FROM THE STATE OF KANSAS

Senator BROWNBACK. Thank you very much. Thank you, Senator Kennedy, for holding the hearing, and thank you for your kind comments. And I want to thank Senator Hatch as well for his kind comments and the work he did, and congratulations on getting 245(i) through the floor last night. Your work, that of Senator Hatch, and the support of Senator Specter and many others have been invaluable in getting this done.

Mr. Chairman, members, we are a Nation made prosperous in significant part by the toil of immigrants. America is a Nation of immigrants who, energized by liberty and resources, have helped catapult this Nation into the rank of the best and the brightest of nations. We can be proud of this legacy regarding the extraordinary contribution of immigrants.

I would like to begin this hearing by acknowledging this invaluable immigrant legacy and by asking three fundamental questions: Who are they? Why now? And what now?

First, who are they? Some come to the United States because of political or religious persecution, and by their brave commitment to larger principles, they continue to renew our fierce love of freedom and justice. However, most immigrants came and continue to come primarily in search of economic opportunities, striving to make a better life for themselves and for their families. In short, we are a more prosperous, more free, more tolerant, and a better Nation because of the immigrants among us.

Given these observations, I am especially pleased by this hearing today and this opportunity to discuss immigration reform. I would like to thank Senator Kennedy for holding this important hearing. It is time we adjust our current system regarding Mexican immigration. The status quo needs to be changed in many ways that we will examine today, and we have the opportunity and perhaps even the responsibility, I would suggest, to begin this difficult but imperative task now.

Why now? Most significantly, we have the leadership of President Bush, who has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to

work for change in partnership with the dynamic new Mexican Government headed by President Vicente Fox. Moreover, the economic and social contributions of immigrants are increasingly recognized as the profile of this issue is raised. Immigrants strengthen our culture, as well as help make our economy strong. Importantly, they pay taxes. Immigrant households and businesses paid an estimate $162 billion in taxes in 1998. In my estimation, that is too high. I think we should cut taxes even for immigrants as well.

Additionally, immigration helps solve a pressing problem faced by our Nation involving a dramatic worker shortage. By 2008, according to figures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, our total projection of available jobs should be 160.7 million, yet the total civilian labor force is expected to be only 154.5 million, resulting in over 5 million more jobs than people to fill them. In the long term, it is projected that the tight labor markets will continue as the baby-boomer generation retires in the next 30 years.

Our current immigration system with Mexico is badly lacking and has been compared to the elephant in the room which no one has been willing to acknowledge until recently, that is, when President Bush began to raise the problems, and he should be commended for his courage and his vision. I believe that such comprehensive reform should make legality the norm and rationally reflect the growing needs of our business sectors. This is a hard task which will take tenacity and courage, but it must be done.

The urgent need for reform was recently articulated by six former Chairs of the Republican National Committee in their recent letter to President Bush. Their letter advocated for a "freer flow of people to accompany the flow of goods and services that have so benefited the citizens of the United States." They additionally noted that the "Republican vision of a society of opportunity, equality, and commitment to the rule of law is one shared by many who seek to enter the United States to participate in the American dream." I believe they are right.

Where the President leads, the Nation will follow. So, what now? We need an earned regularization for undocumented people who work, pay taxes, contribute to their communities, and seek American citizenship. Such people should be given the opportunity to obtain permanent residence instead of being forced outside the boundaries of the law.

Number two, we need a new temporary worker program that dif fers from existing programs and respects both the labor needs of business and the rights of workers. Current immigration law does not meet the present needs of our economy in many sectors experiencing worker shortages. Importantly, a new program should help deter future illegal immigration by creating a more effective, efficient mechanism through which people can legally enter the United States.

Third, we should open up family- and business-based immigration to address presently massive backlogs. Illegal immigration is symptomatic of a system that fails to reunify families and address the economic needs in the United States. To ensure a rational and fair system, we must reduce bureaucratic obstacles and undue restrictions to permanent legal immigration.

In closing, I look forward to working with the Bush administration, with my colleagues on this Committee, with Senator Kennedy, and in the Congress, and those of you who have the solutions for these very real needs. I particularly look forward to working with the chairman, Senator Kennedy. The notion that he would serve under my tutelage is quite an honor that he gave me and noted. I look forward to working closely with him on this issue that has great bipartisan support. Ultimately, I hope for a comprehensive immigration reform that will serve our Nation well. And, lastly, I ask for the candor of our witnesses. We need your boldness, and we seek your solutions.

Mr. Chairman, I look forward to working with you on a very important topic. Thank you.

Senator KENNEDY. Thank you very much.

I want to recognize Senator Specter, who has been very involved and active on immigration issues. We are grateful for your pres

ence.

STATEMENT OF HON. ARLEN SPECTER, A U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA

Senator SPECTER. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and I especially commend you for your timing on this hearing when President Fox of Mexico addressed a joint session of the Congress yesterday in a very impressive speech, emphasized the importance of cooperation between the United States and Mexico, and the issue of the Mexican migrant workers is a very, very important matter that has to be addressed as a matter of working out the relationships between our two countries.

There is beyond any question a tremendous need for workers in America, and our country has a great tradition of being a country of immigrants, and that is something of special importance to me personally because both of my parents were immigrants. My father came to this country as a young man of 18 who wanted to avoid the czar's heel, literally walked across Europe, barely a ruble in his pocket, didn't know at the time that he had a round-trip ticket— he came steerage to the United States, didn't know that he had a round-trip ticket to France, not to Paris and the Follies Bergere but to the Argonne Forest, where he served his country and was wounded in action. And my mother came to this country at the age of 6 with her family, settled in St. Joe, Missouri, and they were real contributors to this country, as immigrants have traditionally been.

I had a series of town meetings last month, as we do in the recess period, and I must say that there is tremendous concern among people about what our immigration policy will be. The concerns were expressed on blanket amnesty, and there is a lack of understanding of the important role that the migrant workers play in the economy. And what has to be done in my judgment is to have an assessment, a national assessment made as to our worker needs and then to structure a rational policy of legalization so that migrant workers are not in the United States in fear of being detained and they are not looked down upon as being in an illegal status, so that we can both enjoy the rule of law and have the appropriate assistance from the migrant workers and to carry on the