WASHINGTON, D.C. — Reps. Tom Suozzi (D-New York) and Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas) have announced that they are working to build a coalition of legislators to work on border and immigration solutions.
“The goal of our new coalition is to introduce bipartisan legislation that will 1) secure the border, 2) fix the broken asylum system, and 3) modernize legal immigration,” Suozzi said.
Aspects of the effort appear to align with the Border Security and Management Framework that the Forum and six partners, all members of the Alliance for a New Immigration Consensus, released this spring. A Forum-Bullfinch Group survey of registered voters in May showed extremely strong support for the components of the framework: 79% support, 10% opposed, and 11% unsure. Among Republicans, support was 75% to only 13% opposed.
“We won’t get to solutions if leaders don’t start having conversations across the partisan divide,” said Jennie Murray, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum. “We’re very encouraged by Reps. Suozzi’s and Luttrell’s willingness to tackle these challenges.
“Without question, our border and asylum systems need reform. The same is true for our out-of-date legal immigration system, which needs a refresh to ensure that all workers and communities in America thrive.
“National security, law enforcement, faith and business leaders have been pushing for this conversation. Voters across the political spectrum want solutions. We look forward to working with all members of Congress who are willing to come together and put solutions over politics.”