Comprehensive Immigration Reform
The United States is a nation of immigrants, and we recognize the contributions made by Americans who came to this country from all over the world to make a new home and pursue the American Dream. That’s why House Democrats continue to work for common sense, comprehensive, and balanced immigration reform: reform that secures our borders, respects the rule of law, and provides immigrants with a fair chance of achieving the American Dream. We believe that if you work hard and play by the rules, you should have a chance at building a future here in America. Comprehensive immigration reform would be good for the American economy and help our fiscal outlook. House Democrats have worked to establish a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and T.P.S. and D.E.D. status holders by twice-passing the bipartisan American Dream and Promise Act, which Republicans continue to obstruct in the Senate. House Democrats also passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act to reform the H-2A guestworker program to allow those contributing to our agricultural economy to remain in America. President Biden has taken action to restore the DACA program, end wasteful spending on an ineffective border wall, and reaffirm America’s values. Democrats will continue to partner with the Biden Administration to help Dreamers, fix American’s broken immigration system and ensure that it strengthens America and grows our economy.
“It is completely unacceptable that Republicans passed an amendment today targeting ‘DREAMers,’ who were brought to this country as children and want only to help build a stronger America.
“Pretending that you are going to take hostage the credit worthiness of the United States of America to get your deal done is irresponsible, not realistic, and we are not going to deal on the debt
“The bill introduced by a bipartisan group of Senators represents a significant first step toward achieving comprehensive immigration reform. For the 11 million undocumented individuals living in and contributing to our communities, the start of this legislative process could not come sooner.
MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP
This week, I was disappointed that House Republicans continued their agenda of political messaging instead of substantive legislation. Rather than spending time voting on a gimmick budget bill, House Republicans should have been working with Democrats towards a balanced solution to avert the looming sequester.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, led a bipartisan coalition of congressional champions of immigration reform and civil rights in re-introducing the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Richard Hanna (R-NY), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Charlie Dent (R-PA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), John Conyers (D-MI), Jared Polis (D-CO), David Cicilline (D-RI), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Mark Takano (D-CA), Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY), Mike Honda (D-CA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
“President Obama has stated clearly that comprehensive immigration reform will be a top priority during his second term, and today he took an important step by laying out a smart, workable, and fair vision for how we can achieve this long-sought goal through legislation. Taken together with an announcement by a bipartisan group of Senators that they intend to pursue a comprehensive reform bill over the next few months, it is an encouraging sign that the challenge of how to address the millions of undocumented people living in our communities may soon be met with the serious and cooperative approach this issue deserves.
"Fixing our immigration system remains one of America's most pressing challenges, one that impacts our economy and the very foundation of the American Dream. I agree that we must approach this issue in a comprehensive way that both secures our borders and allows those who are already here a fair path to apply for citizenship. This is especially true for the many who came here as children, through no fault of their own, and seek to be a part of building our country's future.
“Mr. Speaker, in order to compete in today’s global economy, we need to attract the best and brightest math and science students from around the world.
“I am pleased that the decision announced by the Supreme Court struck down the bulk of Arizona’s immigration law. It is a clear sign that changes to the way we approach undocumented immigrants must take place at the federal level. Democrats are committed to comprehensive immigration reform, and we will continue to propose solutions that reflect our need for secure borders and the reality that millions of people, including many children who were brought here through no fault of their own, have been living and working in our country for years.
Today’s decision to defer deportation action against young people who were brought here by undocumented parents but have been raised here in our country is an important step in the right direction. This will help ensure that hard-working, eager, and talented individuals who came here not of their own choice, and who are contributing to our economy and our defense, can remain here and continue to be part of building a strong future for America.