Issue Position: Immigration Reform

Issue Position

The immigration system of our country is dysfunctional. Most distressing is the fact that it lacks current policies and legal frameworks that can handle illegal immigration. Our country needs to solve the immigration problem. Both parties must ultimately address the issue of comprehensive immigration reform through a bipartisan approach. In the past two years, Republican extremists have fostered an anti-immigrant climate nationally and in some states. As a result, they are being perceived as the anti-immigrant party. And this most likely will hurt them at the polls in November. Such policies have created a "vicious cycle" of enforcement -only policies perpetuating unauthorized immigration with very low wages and exploitation by unscrupulous employers.

We need to move toward comprehensive immigration reform in 2012. Although I am in favor of the Dream Act, and welcome President Obama's executive order to stop deportations of young undocumented students, this is a temporary measure. Congress must reach a bipartisan consensus on this issue. I am supportive of the comprehensive immigration reform bill which addresses the needs of the US, protects our border and its citizens; as well as it bring fairness and justice in fixing immigration.

I propose positive steps in addressing and resolving our current and long term immigration problems. We must start by establishing legislative priorities in order to deal with our current and long term immigration issues, which impact our economy; resources and national security.

a) Regularize the status of 11.5 million undocumented aliens in this country. In addition to justice and fairness, there are also compelling economic reasons for the US Congress to move in that direction. The Center for American Progress estimates that legalization of undocumented aliens would yield a minimum of $1.5 trillion in added US gross domestic product, in a 10 year period. This is the right time to accomplish immigration reform as is being reported that rates of undocumented emigration is nearing zero.

b) Support for the STEM Initiative-Continue to push for immigration reform through granting green cards for international graduate students in STEM ( Science;Engineering;Technology & Math) until we have enough qualified citizens to fill the openings of millions of jobs that remain open since employers require particulars skills lacking among most of our college and university graduates. Also support granting of green cards for international students earning masters and PhDs in STEM Fields from American Universities.

c) Fully support and expand the new entrepreneurship visa program for those who will start businesses and create jobs in the US, most importantly in high tech industries.

I fully agree with President Clinton words that" Giving an individual power and strength to secure their own dignity is the most basic right for any individual in a democratic society."

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