@DavidLeopold

.@SpeakerBoehner: House will approach #immigration differently than Senate

Posted by Speaker Boehner Press Office

May 23, 2013

Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – The following statement was issued today by House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Republican Conference Chairman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), and Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA):

“Our nation’s immigration system is broken – hurting families, our national security, and the economy, which is why reform is included in our plan for economic growth and job creation.  While we applaud the progress made by our Senate colleagues, there are numerous ways in which the House will approach the issue differently.  The House remains committed to fixing our broken immigration system, but we will not simply take up and accept the bill that is emerging in the Senate if it passes.  Rather, through regular order, the House will work its will and produce its own legislation.  Enacting policy as consequential and complex as immigration reform demands that both chambers of Congress engage in a robust debate and amendment process.  Our nation’s immigration processes, border security, and enforcement mechanisms remain dysfunctional.  The House goal is enactment of legislation that actually solves these problems and restores faith in our immigration system, and we are committed to continuing the work we’ve begun toward that goal in the weeks and months ahead.”

Senate Immigration Bill – Path to Citizenship Remains Intact as #CIRMarkup Reaches Home Stretch

From America’s Voice Educational Fund

Washington, DC – Having worked through a majority of its amendments, the Senate Judiciary Committee is in the final stages of marking up the bipartisan immigration reform bill.  According to Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT), who led the process thoughtfully and fairly, the markup is likely to finish today.

The biggest takeaway?  Although some call the path to citizenship the most controversial element in the bill, we know citizenship is actually a consensus issue that is the heart of immigration reform.  It turns out that a majority of Senate Judiciary Committee members agree.  Despite the best efforts of Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Jeff Sessions (R-AL), John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Mike Lee (R-UT), the path to citizenship included in the “Gang of 8” bill has not only survived, it has thrived.

According to Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice: “The Gang of 8 found the sweet spot, crafting legislation that combines very tough enforcement with an achievable path to citizenship with legal immigration reforms.  The bill has withstood attacks and will emerge from committee stronger than when it went in. We’re on our way to a modern immigration system that works.”

Below are key takeaways from the markup process.  For a full explanation and description of the amendments and their implications, visit the amendments section of the America’s Voice website.

• Throughout the amendment process, the path to citizenship not only survived, but thrived. The Judiciary Committee rejected all major amendments designed to weaken the path to citizenship, including triggers to further delay implementation (such as Grassley1, Grassley4, Cruz1); and reduce the number of people who qualify for legal status (Grassley11); or make the program simply unworkable (including but certainly not limited to Lee8, Lee10, Grassley11/17/43, Cornyn5).

Instead, the Committee added provisions to actually make the program more workable.  An amendment from Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), which is consistent with one also filed by Chairman Leahy, will allow immigrants who get on the path to citizenship to pay their fines in installments, rather than a lump sum.  And an important amendment from Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) will allow newly legalized immigrants who serve in the U.S. armed forces to access citizenship through the same process as any other immigrant serving in the military.

• Other additions enhance enforcement practices, due process, and worker rights.  A number of amendments passed that will improve existing immigration law, such as Blumenthal2 (restricting use of solitary confinement) and Coons2 (limiting dangerous deportations); Franken7/Franken8/Feinstein6/Hirono22 (dealing with protections for children), Blumenthal8 (limiting enforcement actions at sensitive locations); and Coons 5/6 (providing access to records while in deportation proceedings/detention).  Workers’ rights were also advanced through the addition of Schumer5 (W visa portability); Blumenthal4/5 (regulating foreign recruiters); Blumenthal18 (withholding of employment records); Coons1 (notifying people of E-Verify inquiries); and Franken2/4 (dealing with E-Verify and small businesses).

• Pro-immigrant coalition lost on some amendments, but the center held on the vast majority.  Notably, many of the amendments we supported passed on voice vote, indicating that they were in fact non-controversial.  While some amendments the pro-immigrant coalition opposed ended up passing, on balance the positives far outweigh the negatives.  But some people still haven’t gotten the message.  This afternoon, Ted Cruz is expected to offer his amendment number 3, which would prohibit anyone who had been undocumented for any period of time from every becoming a United States citizen in the future.  The amendment is clearly thought of as a “message amendment” to show how tough Senator Cruz wants to be on immigrants.  But with the GOP’s political future hanging in the balance, is that really the message he wants to send?

Concluded Sharry: “The bill emerging from the Senate Judiciary Committee is an important step forward for immigration reform. It’s not a perfect bill — the enforcement is excessive and it does not include all families — but passage out of the Senate Judiciary Committee with strong bipartisan support will bring us closer to the promised land of victory.”

Resources

• America’s Voice Series on “Amendments that Matter”: http://americasvoiceonline.org/research/key-amendments-filed-in-senate-judiciary-committee-to-s-744/

Follow Frank Sharry and America’s Voice on Twitter: @FrankSharry and @AmericasVoice

America’s Voice — Harnessing the power of American voices and American values to win common sense immigration reform 

www.americasvoiceonline.org

From The Senate Judiciary Committee Majority Staff #cirmarkup

S. 744: The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act

#CIRmarkup: Judiciary Committee Begins Fifth Day of Markup

RECAP:  The Senate Judiciary Committee has concluded four days of markup of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. The Committee has considered over 165 amendments, offered by both Republicans and Democrats, to every title of the bill.

Coming Up Today in the Committee

Today, the Committee will continue consideration of Title II, which includes the provisions relating to an earned path to citizenship, the agricultural worker program, future immigration and other immigrant programs.  The Committee has completed consideration of Title I, Title III, and the “pre-title” of the bill related to triggers.  The Committee is expected to work into the evening during today’s markup session.

• Watch the markup proceedings online: Continuation of Executive Business Meeting
• Watch live on C-SPAN: http://www.c-span.org/
• Developments are available on Twitter by following @SenatorLeahy and #CIRmarkup: https://twitter.com/SenatorLeahy
• Results of Committee votes on amendments are available on the Senate Judiciary Committee website: http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/

*Scheduling Note: The Committee is expected to recess to allow for the weekly caucus lunches.

The nation was built by immigrants pursuing the American dream.  Comprehensive immigration reform will keep that dream alive for millions seeking opportunity in the United States.

The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act is a thoughtful, realistic approach to meaningful immigration reform.  For generations, dating back to the Founders, immigrants have sought opportunity in the United States, and the chance to work and prosper. The nation was built by immigrants pursuing freedom and opportunity.

• Immigrants Support the Economy: Through generations, immigrants have supported the economy, contributing to the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that drives America’s economy and makes the nation a leader in the global marketplace.  Immigrants also help sustain our local farms and seasonal businesses.  S.744, and amendments adopted by the Judiciary Committee, will strengthen the opportunities available to high-skilled immigrants, and address the labor needs of American businesses.

• America As a Beacon of Hope: Since the founding of the nation, refugees and asylees have sought freedom from persecution in America, which has represented a beacon of hope for millions.  S.744 will remove barriers for refugees fleeing discrimination and violence in their native countries and those seeking a better life for themselves and their families.  America’s immigrants are woven into the fabric of the nation, and support the goals and ideals on which the nation was founded.

• An Earned Path to Citizenship and Commitment to Families: Citizenship is a right cherished by of hundreds of millions of Americans.  S.744 provides a hard-earned path to citizenship for the millions of undocumented workers pursing the American dream who are already contributing members of our communities.  Amendments adopted by the Judiciary Committee will further improve family unification policies.

• Immigration in the 21^st Century: The threats facing the nation are varied from those faced even a generation ago.  S.744 recognizes that border security is in fact a matter of national security, and devotes unprecedented resources to securing the nation’s borders and ports of entry, while recognizing that addressing the millions of undocumented workers in the United States will strengthen our national security.