Immigration Reform

Issues Immigration Reform

Immigrants are an integral part of our nation's history, culture, and economy. They strengthen America and contribute greatly to its success. However, our current immigration system is broken and needs to be fixed. Comprehensive reform that secures our borders while honoring our immigrant heritage is long overdue.

Cruel immigration policies hurt America. They undermine the trust and relationships local law enforcement rely on to effectively police our immigrant communities—making us all less safe. They damage our ability to attract top talent and valuable investment to our companies and universities. And they subject countless vulnerable people to unnecessary pain and hardship.

Congress must act to end this unprecedented assault against our immigrant community. Immigrants are our neighbors and colleagues, soldiers and first responders, doctors, lawyers, farmers and entrepreneurs. They deserve the opportunity to earn their American Dream. That's why I'm proud to be an original cosponsor of several immigration reform bills, including:

  • Dream and Promise Act
    H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021, would grant Dreamers conditional permanent resident status for 10 years, provide Dreamers who earn a college degree or serve in our military a pathway to lawful permanent residence, and give Dreamers access to federal student aid as well as professional, commercial and business licenses. It would also grant TPS and DED holders lawful permanent residence.

  • Farm Workforce Modernization Act
    H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, contains provisions related to farmworkers, including provisions establishing a certified agricultural worker (CAW) status and changing the H-2A temporary worker program.

As a nation of immigrants, we have a responsibility to foster dignity and respect for all newcomers to America. I will continue working with members of both parties, in the House and in the Senate, to enact comprehensive immigration reform that secures our borders and provides an earned pathway to lawful status for the millions of immigrants who work hard and play by the rules.

More on Immigration Reform

House Passes Veteran Immigration Bill, Includes Thompson Provision to Extend Veteran Naturalization Period
December 6, 2022
Press Release

Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) voted to pass the Veteran Service Recognition Act. Immigrants have served in the U.S. armed forces in every major conflict since the Revolutionary War. Today, there are approximately 45,000 immigrants actively serving in the U.S. armed forces. Our servicemembers and veterans have earned benefits and support through the sacrifices they made during their service. This bill will help noncitizen servicemembers, veterans, and their families obtain citizenship.

Issues: Immigration Reform Veterans
Thompson Votes to Pass Critical Immigration Reform Bills
March 18, 2021
Press Release

Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) voted to pass H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 and H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021. These bills help provide a path to citizenship for our nation's Dreamers and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders and establishes a program for agricultural workers to earn legal Certified Agricultural Workers status. These critical bills work to make our nation's immigration system fairer and more humane. A statement from Thompson is below.

Issues: Immigration Reform
Thompson Votes to Pass Bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act
December 11, 2019
Press Release

Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced the House passage of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, bipartisan legislation he cosponsored to give a path to legal status for agricultural workers. This bill is strongly supported by local growers, farmers and farmworker groups alike. Thompson release the following statement after the vote.

Issues: Immigration Reform
Thompson, 43 California Representatives Condemn Administration Plan to Divert Disaster Relief Funding
September 4, 2019
Press Release

Washington – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) and 43 members of California's Congressional delegation wrote the President to condemn the transfer of $155 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Disaster Relief Fund to pay for Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention beds. The Disaster Relief Fund is one of our nation's go-to reserves for responding to natural disasters.

Issues: Immigration Reform
Thompson, Matsui, Panetta, and Sherman Visit Facility for Separated Minors
June 27, 2018
Press Release

Washington – Today Representatives Mike Thompson (CA-05), Doris Matsui (CA-06), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), and Brad Sherman (CA-30) released the following joint statement after visiting a facility in Virginia that houses children separated from their parents at the border as a result of the Administration's "zero tolerance" policy.

Issues: Immigration Reform