New Democrat Coalition Immigration Leaders React to President’s Planned Executive Actions on Immigration Reform

Washington, D.C. – The New Democrat Coalition’s Immigration Task Force Co-Chairs, Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Rep. Joe Garcia (D-FL) and Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO), along with Chairman Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) issued the following statement on the President’s planned announcement of executive actions to reform the nation’s immigration system:

“Comprehensive immigration reform that creates jobs, lowers deficits and reunites families torn apart by a broken system is an urgent moral and economic imperative for our nation, but it remains Congress’s responsibility to pass bipartisan legislation such as the bill that New Democrat Coalition leaders introduced along with our colleagues in the Democratic Caucus last fall,” the leaders said in a joint statement. “After months of Congressional foot-dragging and can-kicking, the President has been left with little choice but to take economic and humanitarian actions to fix this system. We support this action, but we urge the leadership of both parties to get serious about negotiating a long-term, bipartisan solution to this problem. Congress should look at the positive aspects of this plan, including its efforts to make it easier for American businesses, entrepreneurs and workers to create jobs and grow our economy. It’s important to remember that some of the President’s announced actions do not take effect immediately. If Congressional leaders have better ideas, let them come forward and have an honest debate on the issue of fixing an immigration system that we all can agree is broken.”

The New Democrat Coalition is dedicated to maintaining America’s standing as the world’s strongest, most successful nation. Founded in 1997, the New Dems believe firmly in the power of American ingenuity and innovation, and are focused on finding ways to foster and harness this creativity to grow our economy, create new American jobs, and ensure a safer and more secure future for our country. 

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