Immigration
Immigration Reform
Rep. Israel believes Congress needs to pass comprehensive immigraiton reform. In the 111th Congress, Rep. Israel co-sponsored the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act (H.R.4321). This legislation includes increased border enforcement, a verification system for employers to determine whether their employee is an undocumented worker, stricter penalties for employers that hire undocumented workers and a path to citizenship for those here unlawfully, which includes a fee, criminal background check, and English and civil test requirements.
In March 2009, Rep. Israel joined Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers for a ride-along in the Huntington Station community so he could witness firsthand how federal immigration authorities are working with local law enforcement.
DREAM Act
Rep. Israel is a co-sponsor of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2009 (H.R.1842), introduced by Rep. Howard Berman. Rep Israel voted for the DREAM Act in December 2010 when it passed in the House of Representatives, however the legislation did not pass through the Senate. The DREAM Act was re-introduced in the 112th Congress (2011-2012) in May 2011.
The DREAM Act allows hard-working students who entered the country before they turned sixteen and have been in the United States for at least five years the opportunity to earn permanent residency if they choose to attend college or serve in the military.
United Families
Current immigration laws prohibit same sex couples who wish to marry from putting their partner on a path to citizenship. Congressman Israel is a co-sponsor to the United American Families Act (H.R. 1537), which would have changed the law so that same sex permanent partners are treated like married spouses for the purposes of immigration.
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Washington, DC- Congressman Steve Israel (NY-03) released the following statement after his vote to override President Obama’s veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA). Rep. Israel was an original cosponsor of the legislation that passed the House unanimously earlier this month:
Washington, DC—Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY), Congressman Patrick Meehan (R-PA), and Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL), introduced a bipartisan resolution honoring the life and work of Holocaust survivor and activist, Elie Wiesel. Wiesel, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986, passed away on July 2nd at the age of 87. Reps. Israel, Meehan and Deutch are appointed members of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.
Woodbury, NY—Congressman Steve Israel (NY-03) joined Assemblyman Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove), Huntington Town Councilwoman Tracey Edwards, LGBT Network CEO David Kilmnick, and gun violence prevention advocates in a roundtable discussion as part of House Democrats’ “National Day of Action” to demand that Speaker Ryan and House Republicans take action to reduce gun violence. Last week, Rep.
Washington, DC–Congressman Steve Israel (NY-03) released the following statement demanding that Speaker Paul Ryan and House Republicans not recess until a vote is held to prevent suspected terrorists from purchasing firearms.
“Americans are fed-up with this Republican-led Congress for doing nothing to end gun violence. If Speaker Ryan and House Republicans allow Congress to leave Washington this week without voting on a bill that an overwhelming number of Americans support, it would be unconscionable.”
Washington, DC– Today, Congressman Steve Israel (NY-03) released the following statement in response to anti-Semites using the “(((echo)))” symbol to identify and harass Jews on social media sites like Twitter.
Washington, DC– Representative Steve Israel (NY-03), member of the House of Representatives Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today completed a rulemaking process under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to institute a near-total ban on the domestic commercial trade of African elephant ivory.
Washington, D.C. —Today, Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) secured a provision in the Fiscal Year 2017 Defense Appropriations bill that would help ensure that no bias exists when making security clearance determinations. The amendment would direct that in fiscal year 2016 and fiscal year 2017 the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence, submit a report detailing the number of clearance denials along with a list of countries and the number of time each country was cited as the cause for denial.
WASHINGTON—Today, the co-chairs of the House of Representatives Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Anti-Semitism issued the following statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Yom HaShoah:
“On Holocaust Remembrance Day, we stand together in commemoration of the darkest chapter of human history—the Holocaust—which claimed 11 million lives, including 6 million Jews, and we rededicate ourselves to fulfilling the promise of ‘never again.’
Melville, NY—Congressman Steve Israel (NY-03) is urging caution to families and spring break travelers planning to visit areas that have been affected by the Zika virus outbreak. According to the World Health Organization, the mosquito-borne virus is “spreading explosively” across the Americas, right as peak spring break travel season begins.
Washington —Today, Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) announced that he will not seek reelection this November. He released the following statement:
“Nearly 16 years ago, I was honored to take the oath of office and stand on the House Floor for the first time. Now, I’ve decided to leave the House in 2017. I hope to continue to be involved in public service, but it is time for me to pursue new passions and develop new interests, mainly spend more time writing my second novel.