Immigration
Since our nation’s founding, immigrants have comprised an important component of the American social fabric. Immigrants provide the diversity, energy and wealth of knowledge that helped make America the dynamic and prosperous nation that we are today.
Unfortunately, our current immigration system is broken. Deficiencies in the legal immigration process coupled with imperfect border security have resulted in an unprecedented amount of illegal immigration. There are more than 11 million undocumented immigrants living within our borders, functioning in a shadow economy that disregards their personal integrity and disadvantages American workers.
It is essential that we enact comprehensive immigration reform. I am dedicated to finding a solution that addresses the multifaceted problems threatening our immigration system. Any effort at reform must secure our border and include a responsible means of transitioning undocumented immigrants currently residing in America into legal residents, especially young people brought here as children. We must stop unjustly penalizing these children for the mistakes of politicians.
Cosponsoring Comprehensive Immigration Reform Measure
Congressman Schneider cosponsored the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act (HR 15), which would reform our nation’s broken immigration system in a bipartisan and comprehensive way. The bill would strengthen border security, increase visas for skilled workers and provide a path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants currently in the country. Read Congressman Schneider’s statement on the bill here.
Gathering Input from Community Leaders
Congressman Schneider and Senator Durbin organized a discussion with community leaders and local officials to stress the importance of comprehensive immigration reform and the need to act now. Highlighting the economic benefits, Congressman Schneider called for swift passage of the bipartisan Senate-passed immigration reform package. The roundtable featured diverse perspectives on the need for reform to stress the wide-ranging benefits of a comprehensive approach. Read more about the roundtable here.
Calling on Leadership to Pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Congressman Schneider joined a number of his colleagues on a letter that calls on Committee Leadership to pass bipartisan immigration reform legislation to fix our broken immigration system. The letter endorsed a number of proposals that focus on the economic benefits of immigration reform, including new visa programs that focus on attracting entrepreneurs to the United States and retaining more of the individuals who receive STEM training from American educational institutions. Read the full text of the letter here.
More on Immigration
U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement in response to President Obama’s executive order on immigration enforcement.
“The magnitude and significance of the challenges posed by our broken immigration system demand a comprehensive, long-term solution that only Congressional action can fully provide, but House Republican’s absolute unwillingness to act necessitated the President’s decision.
DES PLAINES—U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) participated in a roundtable discussion on the positive impact comprehensive immigration reform would have on Chicago’s northern suburbs. The roundtable, which was hosted by FWD.us, included local DREAMers and tech innovation experts.
U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) voted against a measure that aims to address the influx of child immigrants on the southern border that included modifications to existing human trafficking laws that would undermine safeguards for victims of human trafficking.
A year after the U.S. Senate approved a comprehensive immigration reform plan, North Shore Congressman Brad Schneider said it’s unfortunate the bill remains stalled in the House.
WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports Schneider, a Democrat from Deerfield, said the lack of comprehensive immigration reform has been “holding back our economy at a time where we need to be looking to create jobs, and move our economy forward.”
A who’s who of Illinois Democrats called on immigration reform advocates Monday to demand a vote on the issue in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined other state officeholders and several members of Illinois’ congressional delegation during a Loop rally at the University Club of Chicago, hosted by the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition.
Emanuel told the crowd Chicago is a “city of immigrants” and that “immigrants have come to this great city to give their children a chance at the American Dream.”
U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) signed a discharge petition today to force a vote on the bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill introduced in the House. If a majority of Members sign the petition, the House would be required to consider the legislation.
Rep. Schneider helped introduce the bipartisan immigration reform bill (HR 15), which would strengthen border security, increase visas for skilled workers and provide a path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants currently in the country.
rom the audience Tuesday, Chicago issued a challenge to President Obama and Congress: Fix our broken immigration laws now.
While the spotlight will be on President Barack Obama during the State of the Union address today, several suburban federal lawmakers have invited guests reflecting their priorities on immigration, health care and other issues.
U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement in reaction to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address:
“Tonight, the President outlined his view for a path forward and emphasized two issues I’ve been focused on since taking office: restoring our economy and expanding our middle class.
“Like the President, I believe passing comprehensive immigration reform and supporting job-training programs are areas where both sides can break through the gridlock and make genuine progress.
After offering an agenda to boost the middle class in his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama brought a joint session of Congress to its collective feet today in Washington with the story of an Army Ranger severely wounded in Afghanistan.