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Immigration Reform Update 12/20/13

Congress’s passage of a two-year budget deal brought good news for immigration reform this week. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), a Deputy Whip to Speaker Boehner, said that we could expect the House to vote on some immigration reform bills next summer. Cole was clear that the House would not take up the Senate bill, but he was equally clear that Speaker Boehner wants to act on immigration reform. The budget deal is viewed a positive sign for the prospects of the House taking up immigration reform in 2014 both because it frees up some time on the legislative calendar and has built some goodwill among Members of both parties by proving that compromise is possible in the House. Immigration reform advocates have also pointed to some strong remarks that Speaker Boehner made against conservative interest groups, saying that they have “lost all credibility.” While the remarks were made regarding fiscal reform, some of the groups he refers to also oppose any action on immigration reform. Boehner’s apparent willingness to ignore them bodes well for reform. Of course, Boehner does not speak for everyone in his caucus and so far he has stood by his promise to only bring immigration reform legislation to a vote on the House floor if it has the support of a majority of House Republicans. Because many House Republicans a path to citizenship and some oppose any legalization program, passage of legislation that includes a path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants remains a challenge. Still, these recent activities along with Boehner’s recent hire of immigration expert, Rebecca Talent provide hope for action on immigration reform in 2014.

Advocates for immigration reform have kept up the pressure on the House to act on reform. Last Thursday, more than 1,000 advocates occupied the offices of more than 170 House Members for about an hour. America’s Voice continues to blog about undocumented workers as part of its “Do Your Jobs Campaign,” by highlighting the work of a potato farmworker in Idaho who works 14 – 16 hour days.
Republican Representatives Valadao and Denham of California have been collecting Republican signatures on a letter to House leadership calling for action on immigration legislation. The letter does not mention citizenship or legalization; it simply asks that immigration legislation be addressed on the House floor. The Members say that they hope to deliver the letter in January.

Farmworker Justice continues to advocate for immigration reform with a roadmap to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants, including farmworkers, and to ensure that legislation contains strong protections for workers.

Happy Holidays!
    

Congress’s passage of a two-year budget deal brought good news for immigration reform this week. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), a Deputy Whip to Speaker Boehner, said that we could expect the House to vote on some immigration reform bills next summer. Cole was clear that the House would not take up the Senate bill, but he was equally clear that Speaker Boehner wants to act on immigration reform. The budget deal is viewed a positive sign for the prospects of the House taking up immigration reform in 2014 both because it frees up some time on the legislative calendar and has built some goodwill among Members of both parties by proving that compromise is possible in the House. Immigration reform advocates have also pointed to some strong remarks that Speaker Boehner made against conservative interest groups, saying that they have “lost all credibility.” While the remarks were made regarding fiscal reform, some of the groups he refers to also oppose any action on immigration reform. Boehner’s apparent willingness to ignore them bodes well for reform. Of course, Boehner does not speak for everyone in his caucus and so far he has stood by his promise to only bring immigration reform legislation to a vote on the House floor if it has the support of a majority of House Republicans. Because many House Republicans a path to citizenship and some oppose any legalization program, passage of legislation that includes a path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants remains a challenge. Still, these recent activities along with Boehner’s recent hire of immigration expert, Rebecca Talent provide hope for action on immigration reform in 2014.

Advocates for immigration reform have kept up the pressure on the House to act on reform. Last Thursday, more than 1,000 advocates occupied the offices of more than 170 House Members for about an hour. America’s Voice continues to blog about undocumented workers as part of its “Do Your Jobs Campaign,” by highlighting the work of a potato farmworker in Idaho who works 14 – 16 hour days.
Republican Representatives Valadao and Denham of California have been collecting Republican signatures on a letter to House leadership calling for action on immigration legislation. The letter does not mention citizenship or legalization; it simply asks that immigration legislation be addressed on the House floor. The Members say that they hope to deliver the letter in January.

Farmworker Justice continues to advocate for immigration reform with a roadmap to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants, including farmworkers, and to ensure that legislation contains strong protections for workers.

Happy Holidays!