“For many families across America, this Thanksgiving was particularly special. Because of President Obama’s recent executive actions, many immigrant families celebrated the holiday for the first time without the threat of deportation.”

“I have seen firsthand how our nation’s failing immigration system has torn families apart…I have met with these people personally. I have spoken with them on the phone. I have read their letters. It is heartbreaking to hear their stories.  I always try to do everything within the law to help.”

“The President’s executive action is a good first step; but it is only a temporary solution…I will keep fighting in Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform that brings permanent, long-term relief to the nation.”

Washington, DC – Nevada Senator Harry Reid spoke on the Senate floor today to discuss the importance of President Obama’s executive actions on immigration and the need for Congress to still pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:

I welcome all Senators back from the Thanksgiving break. I’m sure that, like me, most members of this body spent the holiday close to family and loved ones.

For many families across America, this Thanksgiving was particularly special. Because of President Obama’s recent executive actions, many immigrant families celebrated the holiday for the first time without the threat of deportation.  Instead of staying in the shadows, they openly gave thanks for the blessings of family and America. Instead of looking over their shoulder, they delighted in spending time with their loved ones.

What President Obama did needed to be done.

I have seen firsthand how our nation’s failing immigration system has torn families apart. Each day my office receives pleas for help from Nevadans whose loved ones have fallen victim to our nation’s flawed immigration laws. I have met with these people personally. I have spoken with them on the phone. I have read their letters. It is heartbreaking to hear their stories.  I always try to do everything within the law to help. Sometimes I can. Other times I can’t.

Earlier this year, I was able to help reunite Edith Fawkes, a mother from Las Vegas, with her 12-year-old son Brahyam.  It was a touching but all-too-rare experience. For every one family that is reunited, thousands and thousands of others have been decimated by deportations.

That is why the executive action taken by the President Obama is so important – it helps mend our nation’s broken immigration system. It gets criminals off the streets, strengthens our border security, and spurs the economy. More importantly, President Obama’s action keeps families together. It allows parents with children who are U.S. citizens or green card holders to temporarily stay in the only country they call home. By acting, the President told mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, that they are no longer relegated to the shadows of American society. America’s immigrant community now knows there is a path forward. There is a way.

The President’s executive action is a good first step; but it is only a temporary solution. If I had it my way, the President would have signed a comprehensive immigration bill into law instead of announcing executive actions. But we could not sit idly by waiting for Republicans to act while homes are broken up all across this nation. The President has taken a first step, now Congress must act to address all of the issues with our broken migration system. House Republicans still can, and should, pass the bipartisan immigration bill that the Senate approved 520 days ago.

In the meantime, I will keep fighting in Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform that brings permanent, long-term relief to the nation. I have done all I can in the Senate to keep Nevada families together, and I’m not about to stop now.

We have a lot of work to do before the 113th Congress comes to a close. Our most important task at hand is to pass appropriations legislation to keep the government from shutting down. We have a number of vitally important nominations that must be confirmed.  We need to consider an extension of tax cuts for working families and businesses, as well as a reauthorization of defense spending legislation. We have a lot to do and not much time to accomplish it all.

I urge all Senators to help complete our work in a timely and efficient fashion.