Issue Position: Immigration

Issue Position

The Illinois Fifth Congressional District is living proof of the vital strength we as a nation have always drawn from, through the ambitious immigrants who come to the United States seeking a better life for themselves and their children. Traveling its neighborhoods is like traveling the world, from Eastern Europe to Asia to Latin America. Mike's office stands ready to recent immigrants and longstanding residents alike with any immigration related issues they may be facing.

One of Mike's first actions on arriving in Congress was to stand with Representative Luis Gutierrez as a cosponsor of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act. This comprehensive immigration reform bill would establish workable parameters to fix our broken immigration system and give law-abiding residents the opportunity to achieve a better life for themselves and their children. Mike also pressed for the inclusion of LGBT bi-national couples in the legislation, as he believes that comprehensive immigration should include everyone.

Mike also cosponsored the House version of Senator Durbin's Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act). This bipartisan bill would give a brighter future to the children of illegal immigrants, children who may have been born elsewhere but were raised as Americans and want nothing more than to contribute to their nation through military service or by pursuing a college education. Speaking on the House floor in favor of the DREAM Act, Mike said, "It is not merely for today but for all time to come that we should perpetuate for our children's children this great and free government which we have all enjoyed all our lives."

Mike has also been a force on behalf of the Polish community, pressing for inclusion of Poland in the Visa Waiver Program. This would end the status quo where visitors from this vital Eastern European ally are forced to secure visas for travel to the United States, while Americans visiting Poland are permitted to travel freely. Mike has met with Polish leaders including Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, Polish Undersecretary of State Mariusz Handzlik and Polish Ambassador to the U.S. Robert Kupiecki, to discuss the importance of including Poland as a programmatic country in the VWP.

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