Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Immigration
Democrats stand with DREAMers and are fighting to bring the DREAM Act to the Floor.

The United States is a nation of immigrants and we recognize the contributions that Americans who came to this country from all over the world have made. That’s why House Democrats continue to work for common sense, comprehensive, and balanced immigration reform: reform that secures our borders, respects the rule of law, and provides immigrants with a fair chance of achieving the American Dream.

Meanwhile, President Trump and his Administration have worked to instill fear in communities by splitting families apart with his inhumane family separation policy and ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was established under the Obama Administration to protect Dreamers, immigrant children brought to the United States by their parents through no fault of their own. In addition, President Trump continues to call on American taxpayers to foot the bill for an ineffective and costly border wall.

House Democrats have passed H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act to provide Dreamers and those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) status with a pathway to citizenship and the certainty they can remain here in the U.S. and continue to contribute to our economy and our nation’s future. We have also passed funding legislation to address the humanitarian situation created by President Trump’s reckless policies at the border as well as legislation to require all individuals in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody to receive an initial medical screening and set certain minimum standards of hygiene, nutrition, and shelter. We will continue to conduct strong oversight at the border to ensure that migrants are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve as they seek refuge in our country.

Democrats also believe the President and Congress should come together to pass comprehensive immigration reform. Comprehensive reform is not only the morally right thing to do, but it is also good for our economy and will help our fiscal outlook. According to the Congressional Budget Office, comprehensive immigration reform would reduce the deficit by $900 billion over the next twenty years, including $200 billion in the first decade alone. Comprehensive immigration reform is supported by a majority of Americans, as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the AFL-CIO, the agriculture community, the technology community, the faith community, and others.

Immigration Related
These whistleblower allegations, if confirmed, would reveal one of the most stunning and horrendous violations of human rights at the hands of an American administration in modern history.  We have already seen reports that conditions in these immigration detention facilities are unsanitary and that detainees lack access to even basic human and medical needs, including reports of toxic pesticides being used on detainees. 
9/15/20
Today, the House passed legislation, sponsored by Rep. Pramila Jayapal, to ensure that the principle of defendants’ access to counsel is protected in immigration proceedings.
7/22/20
This memorandum is reprehensible, ignoring the Constitution’s clear directive that ‘the whole number of persons in each state’ be counted. 
7/21/20
This morning’s decision by the Supreme Court rejecting the Trump Administration’s effort to rescind the DACA program is a major victory both for Dreamers and for the American people, as we all benefit from their contributions to our nation. 
6/18/20
Thanks to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, 800,000 Dreamers – young people were brought here as children and have done nothing wrong – have been able to remain in the only country they know as home and contribute to our economy and our nation’s future.
11/12/19
The Trump Administration’s policy of turning away desperate and frightened families who are escaping mortal danger is cruel, runs counter to our nation’s values, and is an abuse of presidential power. I strongly disagree with the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the ban to be implemented while litigation continues, and I am deeply concerned that families who are fleeing deadly violence and persecution and seeking refuge under our nation’s laws will be not be permitted to apply for asylum at our border.
 
9/11/19
This nation was, in large part, built by the legal immigrants who arrived on our shores seeking a better life.  That’s why maintaining a strong legal immigration system is so important and beneficial: immigrants contribute to our economy by creating jobs and strengthen our communities by giving back.
8/12/19
I was very disappointed that Republicans blocked legislation last night that would have provided Temporary Protected Status to those fleeing Venezuela as a result of the Maduro regime’s brutality and the violence and hardships that have characterized his rule.
7/25/19
The humanitarian crisis that the President’s policies have created at our southern border and in detention facilities across the countries is unconscionable, which is why the Democratic-led House took action today to ensure that those held in U.S. custody are not denied their basic human rights. 
7/24/19
Our asylum laws, enacted by Congress on behalf of the American people, are clear: those fleeing horrific violence or disaster are permitted to present themselves at our borders and ask for an asylum hearing. 
7/15/19
Though the Supreme Court has decided to take up the case of the nearly 800,000 Dreamers next year, Congress and the Administration must not wait that long to fix this problem.
6/28/19
Tonight, the House passed a bill to address the urgent humanitarian situation at our border that this President created with his deeply flawed policies. 
6/25/19
Good evening, and thank you so much for this honor. I am deeply humbled and I am proud to share this year’s justice award with my friend Representative Pramila Jayapal.
6/20/19
One of the strengths of the Congress of the United States is the diversity of experience, disciplines, and expertise that our Members have.
 
6/12/19
Once again, this President is trying to circumvent Congress and our Constitution by appointing someone as acting head of an agency who would not be confirmed by the Senate to that post and who is grossly unqualified for it. 
6/10/19
This week, I was proud that the House passed legislation to protect Dreamers and those with temporary protected status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) status.
6/7/19
This is a day that glories what America is to the world: a place of refuge, a place of safety, a place of opportunity. We lift our lamp beside the golden door.
6/4/19
While we certainly need to have a conversation about reforming our immigration system to attract the full range of immigrants ready to contribute to growing our economy, President Trump’s proposal is based on a set of falsehoods aimed at only allowing immigrants from certain favored nations or backgrounds.
5/16/19
"After President Trump failed to secure funding from Congress for his expensive and ineffective border wall, he declared that he intends to subvert the will of Congress and the American people and take funds away from our military and other defense priorities to pay for it. 
5/10/19
Today marks one year since the Trump Administration instituted its family separation policy, ripping children from their parents’ arms at the border. 
5/7/19
America was founded as a place of refuge for those fleeing persecution, violence, and disaster.
4/30/19
As a member of the House's Bipartisan Legal Advisory Committee, I voted today to direct the House General Counsel to initiate a lawsuit against the Trump Administration for illegally moving appropriated funds from other priorities to pay for his border wall, which Congress has not authorized. 
4/4/19
I am relieved that Liberians living in the United States under Deferred Enforced Departure will have their status extended for another year, following a request I and other Members made to the President last week. 
3/28/19
Today, House Republicans were given a choice between allowing President Trump to usurp Congress’s power of the purse with an unjustified emergency declaration to fund his border wall or to stand up for the principle of separation of powers in our Constitution. 
3/26/19