Issue Position: Immigration

Issue Position

Issue Position: Immigration

Speaker Pelosi congratulates a new citizen.The United States is a country made up of immigrants, and it is part of what makes us so strong and vibrant. And while immigration reform remains an unsolved challenge for our nation, the Democratic-led House is leading the way towards comprehensive reform.

In July of 2007, Speaker Pelosi hosted a citizenship workshop in San Francisco, providing free assistance to individuals who are eligible to apply for American citizenship. These newest Americans exemplify what our nation is all about. We gain strength from our newest citizens, and passing comprehensive immigration reform will ensure that America keeps growing stronger.

Speaker Pelosi greets new citizens.In March of 2007, the House began the critical work of immigration reform when a group of bipartisan members introduced the Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy Act of 2007 (STRIVE). The bill would overhaul the current immigration system in a way that better protects and enforces our borders, while respecting the hard work and contributions of immigrants to our country and reflecting the realities of our workforce and the needs of our communities. The STRIVE Act would ensure that we have an immigration system in place that meets the security and economic needs of our nation by creating laws that are tough, enforceable and realistic. Unfortunately, it was blocked by Republicans in the Senate.

This bipartisan immigration reform would have:

* Secure Our Borders
* Strengthen Interior Enforcement
* Bolster Employment Verification
* Create a New Worker Program to Reflect the Realities of Our Workforce
* Reform a Broken System In a Way That Protects Families
* Allow Earned Legalization for Qualified, Hardworking Individuals
Provide Strong Labor Protections

In addition, on March 30, 2007, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, chaired the first House hearing on immigration reform. The hearing, took place at Ellis Island, featuring testimony on the historical trends and personal experiences of American immigration.

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