U.S.ENGLISH Chairman made the following statement today in response to
AFL-CIO agenda to grant blanket amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants
President George W. Bush should reject any proposal from the AFL-CIO that urges him
to grant blanket legal status to millions of foreign nationals who have broken the law
and entered or remained in the United States illegally.
Whether amnesty is bestowed for 'snitching' or simply to boost the membership
of a heavyweight trade association like the AFL-CIO, a short-sighted policy decision
like this will evoke animosity among those who are obeying the law and are waiting
in line to immigrate legally.
There are millions of immigrants like me who waited their turn, filled out all
the appropriate paper work, and complied fully with the law to become part of this
great country. Granting blanket amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants sends
the message that you can jump the line by breaking the law. It is reckless, irresponsible
and self-serving.
Rather than looking for a quick fix by rewarding illegal immigrants, President Bush
should work with Congress to implement long-term solutions that will protect Americans
from further terrorist attacks, boost the U.S. economy, and assist the millions of American
families impacted by the events of Sept. 11.
Many American immigrants sacrificed a great deal to come here properly and lawfully.
Rewarding those who break the law will ultimately encourage more, not less illegal immigration,
and serves to punish those who obey our immigration laws.
Instead of granting blanket amnesty, we must address the needs of our legal immigrants
to help them assimilate and realize the American dream. Census data continue to show that
their needs are largely unmet. The high school dropout numbers for immigrants are devastating,
and many adults are consigned to a low-wage ghetto because they have not learned
elementary work-force survival skills, such as the ability to speak our common language - English.
It's time President Bush and Congress put American citizens first and the selfish manipulations
of AFL-CIO membership directors last. To do less, would defy the justice we so treasure in
this country.
U.S.ENGLISH is the nation's oldest,
largest citizens' action group dedicated to preserving
the unifying role of the English language in the United
States. Founded in 1983 by the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of
California, U.S.ENGLISH now has more than 1.5 million
members nationwide. | 
