Later today, Rep. Nydia Velazquez, Sen. Robert Menendez and Rep. Luis Gutierrez will meet with President Obama at the White House to discuss a strategy that will aid immigration reform efforts that seem to be gaining momentum this week.
“We won’t stop until we get comprehensive immigration reform,” Velazquez, chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said.
Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he intends to add the DREAM Act as an amendment to a bill that could be voted on as early as next week. The measure would allow young immigrants who attend college or serve in the military to become legal residents.
“We need Republicans to stand up and say ‘yes’ to the DREAM Act next week and allow a vote,” Gutierrez said.
The move has been derided by Republicans while other lawmakers say the measure alone is not enough to address the complexity behind the issue of immigration.
“Don’t all immigrants deserve the respect and relief that the Dreamers will get?” Velazquez said.
This may very well happen in the form of Sen. Menendez’ yet to be unveiled comprehensive immigration reform bill he announced yesterday. Menendez is reported to be looking for co-sponsors from across both aisles.
“We need the president to speak loudly that when Bob Menendez introduces that bill, he will stand behind that bill,” Gutierrez said.
There is no guarantee that either of the measures will pass and many immigration reform advocates have been wary of introducing immigration reform in separate bills, but they remain hopeful nonetheless.
“We don’t have a good measure anymore of what will happen once we get something discreet like the DREAM Act passed,” Mary Giovagnoli, director of the Immigration Policy Center, said. “But when the sky doesn’t fall in and if people still get re-elected after supporting DREAM, it may show members of Congress that leaning into the immigration issue and voting for comprehensive immigration reform could help them politically.”
““Don’t all immigrants deserve the respect and relief that the Dreamers will get?” Velazquez said.”
No, they don’t, they’re illegal. Simple as that.