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Issue Position: Immigration

Issue Position

Date: Jan. 1, 2013
Issues: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Immigration

As a minority, I personally understand and identify with the struggle for justice and equality. I recognize the importance of having a fair, effective and common-sense immigration system in our country. That is why I am a member of the Congressional Black Caucus' Immigration Reform Task Force, and am working on this issue with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and my Republican colleagues. With over 11 million undocumented immigrants in our country, reform will strengthen our country and boost our economy.

I am an original co-sponsor of the Reuniting Families Act of 2013, which would allocate visas more efficiently and alleviate application waiting times. More importantly, this bill promotes the reunification of immigrant families that have been separated for far too long.

In order for our economy to prosper, we must allow talented individuals to contribute to the only country they have ever known. As an original cosponsor of the "Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2013," also known as the DREAM Act, I am committed to providing immigration relief to undocumented youth if they serve in the military or pursue a higher education. This legislation provides a pathway to citizenship to children brought to the United States through no fault of their own.

I believe that same-sex couples should be included in the immigration conversation and that protections should be extended to the LGBT community. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents should be able to sponsor their "permanent partners" for residency in the United States. This is why I support H.R. 519, also known as the "Uniting American Families Act."

On March 8, 2013, I held an immigration roundtable with Congressman Luis Gutierrez in the district. I brought together different stakeholders in the community and the overwhelming consensus is that reform is long overdue. I will continue working with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to achieve comprehensive immigration reform in the 113th Congress.


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