During the 2004 State of the Union speech, President Bush called on Congress to reform our immigration laws. The President’s plan to create a guest worker program while increasing the security of our borders shows compassion and vision. I strongly support the President’s plan and believe we need to work together to pass immigration reform into law.

The President’s plan will also increase our homeland security. The proposal will allow for the registration and identification of undocumented workers in the U.S. This registration would give the Department of Homeland Security the opportunity to determine whether the immigrant poses a threat to national security or is simply seeking the American Dream.

Many who arrive on our shores have fled war torn, impoverished countries, often leaving all of their worldly possessions behind. The Welfare Law of 1996, which barred legal immigrants from receiving food stamps and social security income (SSI), set back the efforts of some immigrants to create a new life in this country. Working with the House Leadership, I worked to ensure that as many needy immigrants as possible continued receiving the vital benefits which were barred by the passage of this law. On May 15, 1997, I offered an amendment to legislation considered by the House to restore SSI and Medicaid coverage for legal immigrants. This amendment was adopted by an overwhelming vote of 345-74. The 1997 Balanced Budget Act reinforced these efforts, permanently restoring SSI for legal immigrants receiving assistance in August 1996, when the ban became law.

One of my proudest days in Congress was November 19, 1997, when the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA), was signed into law. I was the primary author of this legislation which created a process for the obtaining of legal residency for hundreds of thousands of vulnerable individuals who sought safety in the United States for themselves and their families. NACARA has been the model for other legislation which I have co-sponsored to protect vulnerable populations.

The Andean Adjustment Act (AAA), which I introduced, follows suit by seeking to enable Peruvians and Colombians, under certain conditions, to adjust to permanent status. AAA continues to be one of my top immigration priorities and I will continue working diligently for passage of this bill. In addition to gaining bipartisan support for AAA, I have also requested that the administration grant temporary protected status to Colombians, having contributed to achieving that status for Hondurans, Nicaraguans and Salvadorans.

I am proud to have been an original cosponsor of H.R 1954, the Armed Forces Naturalization Act of 2003 which overwhelmingly passed the United States House of Representatives with my support on June 4, 2003. We must recognize the sacrifice made by our men and women in uniform and honor their commitment and loyalty to the United States. The Armed Forces Naturalization Act will reduce the current three year residency requirement for naturalization to one year and also remove current barriers to extending derivative immigration benefits to their immediate family members, as well as remove other significant restrictions.

The United States, and particularly Florida, has always been a destination for immigrants. From St. Augustine, our nation's oldest city settled by Europeans, to Miami, our state has been and continues to be a fascinating and favorite place for immigrants. The United States of America was founded by immigrants--people fleeing oppression, or simply hoping to find a better life here. I am proud of both our nation's and our state's immigrant heritage and during this critical time, I will continue to work toward justice in the treatment of immigrants and the safety of the United States of America.

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