Issue Position: Immigration Reform

Issue Position

Our current immigration system is broken. David strongly believes that the House of Representatives should pass legislation to help approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants emerge from the shadows, and provide a responsible path to citizenship for those who want to fully participate in our civil society and contribute to our nation's economy. This reform must begin with securing our border and ensuring that those who are here without proper documentation be required to "go to the end of the line," pay a penalty, pay their taxes, and pass criminal background checks before receiving citizenship.

David is a cosponsor of the House immigration reform bill, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (H.R. 15), which is nearly identical to legislation passed by the Democratic-led Senate by a bipartisan vote of 68 to 32 on June 27, 2013. Despite overwhelming bipartisan and public support for comprehensive immigration reform, House Republican Speaker John Boehner refuses to allow a vote on the Senate bill in the House and said recently that it is very unlikely the House will deal with a comprehensive immigration reform proposal in 2014.

Passing comprehensive immigration reform would help secure our border, protect workers, unite families, and provide an earned pathway to citizenship for hardworking immigrants. It will also help businesses expand, foster innovation, increase productivity, contribute to long term wage growth, and help create more than 100,000 jobs every year. And according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, enacting such legislation could reduce our national deficit by more than $800 billion over the next decade.

David feels very strongly that the House should immediately consider a comprehensive immigration reform plan that strengthens both our borders and families, provides a sensible path to citizenship, and bolsters our economy. David will continue to urge the House Republican Leadership to hold a vote on comprehensive immigration reform.

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