Issue Position: Immigration

Issue Position

Mike understands that immigrants have come to Chicago for generations to make a better life for themselves and for their families. Immigrants helped build our skyscrapers, provided the hard work that supported our industries, and established civic and religious organizations.

The failures of our legal immigration system have forced millions of undocumented immigrants in this country to live in the shadows. One of Mike's first actions upon arriving in Congress was to stand with Representative Luis Gutierrez as a cosponsor of the Comprehensive ImmigrationReform 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 supports the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action forParents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) programs. These programs would offer a brighter future to the children of illegal immigrants, many of whom were 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.

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.

America's strength as a nation is jeopardized by our broken immigration system. We need comprehensive immigration reform that will secure our borders, grow our economy, and provide hardworking immigrants an earned pathway to citizenship.

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