WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Republicans meeting this morning did not reach an immigration compromise, paving the way for a discharge petition to advance.
With three more signatures, the petition would reach the 218 necessary to move four bills to the floor for a vote. The bipartisan DREAM Act and USA Act would provide hundreds of thousands of young people with the opportunity to continue contributing to their communities and economy without fundamentally altering America’s legal immigration system.
In contrast, the Securing America’s Future Act would fail to provide a permanent solution for Dreamers while threatening to slash family-based immigration that helps the economy. In addition to providing only temporary status to limited numbers of Dreamers, the bill would dramatically reduce family-based immigration and create roadblocks for unaccompanied minors and others seeking refuge. A dramatic reduction of legal immigration would have a negative impact on economic growth and would likely make it harder for a number of industries to find employees.
“Congress needs to step up and move forward with policies that help American workers,” said Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum. “We appreciate the leadership of Reps. Carlos Curbelo, Jeff Denham, Will Hurd and others. Congress has a historic chance to pass a permanent, bipartisan solution for the hundreds of thousands of young people who have become integral parts of our communities and economy.
“That solution must recognize that businesses need legal-immigrant workers. It also must support families and be consistent with our value of welcoming people who are seeking refuge. House members who have yet to sign the discharge petition introduced by Rep. Curbelo should step up and advance solutions for Dreamers, families and all Americans.”