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Immigration
“Enacting smart, secure, and effective immigration policies requires taking a comprehensive approach that addresses the short-term and long-term security and economic needs of this country.”
- Congressman Silvestre Reyes
As a trusted expert on border issues, Congressman Reyes has been a leader on immigration policy since coming to Congress, helping shape comprehensive immigration reform bills including the Kennedy-McCain bill, the STRIVE Act, and the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Prosperity Act (CIR ASAP), which is considered the blue print for immigration reform. He has also long championed his Putting Our Resources Toward Security (PORTS) Act which will greatly improve the flow of people and goods across our borders.
In 2005, when Republicans in the House of Representatives pushed to enact H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Anti-terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi asked Reyes to draft and offer the Democratic alternative on the floor of the House. Not only was he asked to lead this floor battle, he also was asked to testify in many hearings in D.C. and across the nation. Reyes' leadership helped ensure that this highly controversial bill was stopped and did not become law.
With a strong record of public service, Congressman Reyes understands the importance of working together with community, religious, and business leaders, human rights advocates, immigration stakeholders, and law enforcement officers to craft effective immigration policies that facilitate commerce, support border communities, and empower our law enforcement officers with the resources needed to keep smugglers, traffickers, narcotics, and weapons out of our country.
Leading on Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Congressman Reyes and his Democratic colleagues have laid out clear principles for comprehensive immigration reform. One of the most pressing needs is family reunification, and setting realistic ceilings for immigrant visas will help reduce backlogs and strengthen families.
An earned legalization program would adjust the status of the many hard-working, law-abiding, and tax-paying immigrants, as well as young students. Improvements to existing temporary worker programs are also needed. These changes must be combined with increased security and additional resources to enforce the law and ensure safety and due process protections at our borders.
Congressman Reyes works regularly with national leaders including President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Minority Leader Pelosi to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Along with his colleagues in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), Congressman Reyes fought to ensure that community stakeholders are a part of the immigration discussion. He helped ensure that El Paso was included as part of the United Families tour in 2010 and worked to secure the visit of President Barack Obama in 2011 for a major immigration speech at the Chamizal National Memorial.
DREAM (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) Act
Although Congressman Reyes is a forceful advocate for comprehensive immigration reform, he also supports interim efforts including the DREAM Act which would provide immediate relief to immigrant children. After Congress was unable to secure passage of the DREAM Act, Congressman Reyes along with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus continue to press President Obama to use his administrative authority to make changes to immigration processes that unfairly penalize high performing immigrant students, soldiers and their spouses, and/or unduly strain non-criminal migrant families and children.
Press Releases
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REYES: ‘USCIS BEGINS ACCEPTING REQUESTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS’
8.15.2012
Press Releases
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CONGRESSMAN REYES' STATEMENT ON U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING ON ARIZONA IMMIGRATION LAW
6.25.2012
Press Releases
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CONGRESSMAN REYES URGES DREAMERS TO ATTEND DIOCESAN MIGRANT & REFUGEE INFO SESSIONS IN EL PASO
6.25.2012
Press Releases
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CONGRESSMAN REYES STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT OBAMA’S DHS DEPORTATION ANNOUNCEMENT
6.15.2012
Speeches and Statements
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Reyes Statement on President Obama's visit to Arizona
1.26.2012
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