Himes Hosts Forum on Immigration Reform

Press Release

Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) today met with community members to discuss possible next steps to enact immigration reform, including President Obama's vow to take executive action on his own to address the issue.

The forum comes after House Speaker John Boehner made it clear that the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives will not act on comprehensive immigration reform this year. Today's discussion focused on ideas for alternative steps given the House Republicans' refusal to act. Himes heard insights from an array of community members, experts and advocates, as well as representatives from Neighbors Link, which hosted the forum, and CT Students for a DREAM.

"The United States is a nation built by immigrants, and our success is not possible without them. I am absolutely committed to fixing our country's broken immigration system because it will make us a more humane and prosperous nation," Himes said. "It's been more than a year since the Senate passed a bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform bill, but House Republicans still refuse to allow a vote on this issue. I urge President Obama to use the full extent of his constitutional authority to take executive action to protect national security and prevent families from being torn apart."

"Every day at Neighbors Link Stamford, we see the adverse impacts of a broken immigration system on the families we serve. We welcome Congressman Himes' continuing efforts to make progress towards resolving this important issue," said Kathleen Walsh, co-chair of the Neighbors Link Stamford board of directors.

Lucas Codognolla, coordinator for Connecticut Students for a DREAM, said, "Congressman Himes has continuously stood with the immigrant community in Connecticut. I am grateful for his support of fixing our broken immigration system so that undocumented immigrants like myself can no longer live in fear and frustration but contribute to the country we call home. While the GOP leadership blocks votes on immigration in the House, thousands of families are being separated by deportations. I applaud President Obama for promising executive action on immigration. My hope is that Congressman Himes continues to see how families in the 4th district are being affected and helps us move forward with positive solutions to prevent families from being torn apart."

Himes is a co-sponsor of the comprehensive immigration reform bill in the House (H.R. 15). The bill will secure our border and establish a fair pathway to citizenship that will bring millions of undocumented immigrants out of the shadows of our society. The measure is similar to the legislation (S. 744) the Senate passed on June 27, 2013, with strong bipartisan support on a 68-32 vote.

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