Immigration Reform Bill To Be Introduced Soon

At a rally held in Washington DC last October 13, Rep. Luis Gutierrez outlined the core principles that will serve as basis for the comprehensive immigration reform bill that he plans to introduce in the House soon.

The rally was sponsored by several advocacy groups including the Reform Immigration for America campaign, National Capital Immigration Coalition and Families United. It was attended by thousands of immigrants from Hispanic, Asian, African and other communities from about twenty states.

Rep. Gutierrez is the chairman of the Immigration Task Force of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and is one of the strongest and most vocal advocates for immigration reform.

He has been conducting nationwide tours to drum up support for reform and has met with many advocacy and civil rights groups, faith-based groups and labor groups.

In a statement, Rep. Gutierrez declared that Americans can no longer wait for a bill that will unite families, protect workers and provide legalization for the twelve million undocumented workers. “It is time we had a workable plan making its way through Congress that recognizes the vast contributions of immigrants and that honors the American Dream.”, he said.

The key components of his proposed bill include a pathway to legalization for undocumented workers and students, humane treatment of detainees, expanded labor rights for workers, employment eligibility verification system, allocation of sufficient employment visas to meet actual labor market demands and increase of family visas to promote family unity.

This new push for reform will certainly reinvigorate the immigration debate that has been overshadowed by other priorities of the current administration like health care reforms. During his campaign, President Obama promised to tackle immigration reforms in the first year, but he has said recently that the issue will most likely be pursued early next year.

Senator Charles Schumer has said that he will introduce his reform bill in the Senate sometime this fall.

Last June, he announced the seven principles that would form the basis of his bill. These principles include legalization of undocumented workers, family reunification, effective enforcement and employment verification

Fixing the broken immigration system has been a divisive issue. During the previous administration, similar legislation failed to pass twice despite support from President Bush.

But immigrant advocates are hopeful this time that comprehensive immigration reform will pass. President Obama has expressed his unyielding commitment several times and Senate Majority leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have expressed their full support.