America’s legacy has been crafted by generations of hard-working men and women who moved to the United States from all over the globe in search of a better life. I am proud to represent a Congressional District in New York City, which for centuries has been America’s gateway for immigrants who came to this country not only to improve their future, but also to contribute to the American fabric. I have seen firsthand how their innovative ideas, cultural offerings, entrepreneurship and talent help to move our country forward.

Our immigration policy should be driven by what is in the best interest of this great country and the American worker. Orderly and controlled borders, combined with an effective immigration system designed to meet our needs are important pillars of a healthy and robust economy. We need to act swiftly on immigration legislation that will improve our American workforce.

However, states such as Arizona and Alabama have recently passed or proposed unconstitutional laws in attempts to crackdown illegal immigration despite a significant reduction in illegal immigration based on tightened border patrol and an undesirable economy. The immigration system can only be fixed by putting politics aside and offering a comprehensive solution that secures our borders, enforces immigration laws, and reaffirms our national identity as a nation of immigrants.

From Walt Disney to Steve Jobs, often children of immigrant parents have made America even greater. Since 2001 Democrats in Congress have tried to pass the DREAM Act through a bipartisan vote. The DREAM Act would grant immigrant students who came to the U.S. as children the opportunity to earn full citizenship status by graduating from high school or obtaining a GED then completing two years of college or completing two years of military service in good standing. With encouraging support from the Obama Administration, my Democratic Colleagues and I will continue to fight for the passage of the DREAM Act which would allow some of the best and brightest students in our country to help America maintain its greatness and remain globally competitive.

Congressman Rangel's Legislation:

Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2010, H.R. 6497 (Co-Sponsor)
Status: 12/8/2010 Passed the House, Referred to the Senate 
Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to cancel the removal of, and adjust to conditional nonimmigrant status by providing a 6 year long path to citizenship based the following conditional requirements:

• Entered the United States before his or her 16th birthday and has been present in the United States for at least five years immediately preceding the act's enactment;
• Is a person of good moral character;
• If you have not been convicted of certain offenses under federal or state law;
• If you have been admitted to an institution of higher education (IHE) or has earned a high school diploma or general education development certificate in the United States or if you have completed 2 years of military service
• If you were under age 30 on the date of the act's enactment

Honoring Dominican-Americans in the United States, H.RES.428 - (Sponsor)
Status: 10/6/2011 Referred to House committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Supports the establishment of a national month of recognition for the cultural, economic, and societal contributions made by Dominican-Americans to the United States.

Reuniting Families Act, H.R. 1796 - (Cosponsor)
Status: 8/19/2009 Referred to House subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law
Revises the definition of "immediate relative" to: (1) mean a child, spouse, or parent of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident

Amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act, H.R. 1631 (Sponsor)
Status: 3/21/2007 Referred to House committee on the Judiciary
This bill aims to amend section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the deadline for classification petition and labor certification filings.

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