Immigration

Immigration advocates meet with Congressman Soto in Kissimmee.

The United States is a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws.  Our immigrants are working; our laws are not.  Darren is working to fix them. 

Many of our nation’s founders were immigrants, and each generation has benefitted from immigrants who contribute to our economy and society.  For instance, over 40 percent of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children, creating millions of jobs and untold prosperity.  We only hurt ourselves when we turn away budding job creators, doctors who are willing to work in rural and underserved communities, and others who are contributing to our country. Pushing people into the shadows, limits their contributions to our economy and tax base, makes it more difficult for them to report crimes, and creates uncertainty for their families.

“I believe the answer is comprehensive immigration reform and recognizing the contributions of the immigrants in our communities, and not trying to attack and deport people.” – Congressman Soto

Darren is fighting to empower immigrants to contribute to our community and earn the American Dream.  As a State Senator, he passed legislation to make college more affordable for DREAMers – young people brought to this country through no fault of their own – and to allow them to practice law in Florida. 

As a Member of Congress, Darren’s immigration priorities include:

• Comprehensive immigration reform that would allow people to pay any taxes they owe, get right with the law, and when that’s done, get on the path to citizenship.  Even in a Washington environment that has become more polarized and dysfunctional over the last couple decades, there was bi-partisan consensus around the need for comprehensive immigration reform as recently as a few years ago.

• Protecting DREAMers, including those who have come out of the shadows through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) recipients.

• Modernizing the guest worker and visa systems that are vital for our agriculture and tourism industries. 

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Resources:

Florida Bar Referral: (800) 342-8011

Orange Bar Associates: (407) 422-4551

Community Legal Services: (407) 847-0053

ACLU National Hotline Number: (212) 549-2500

Selected bills on immigration co-sponsored by Congressman Soto:

H.R.532 - DREAMer Information Protection Act - Information provided by an applicant for deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program of the Department of Homeland Security may not be used for the purpose of immigration enforcement proceedings.

H.R.858 - DREAMers, Immigrants, and Refugees (DIRe) Legal Aid Act - Directs the Department of Justice to make grants to nonprofit legal services providers with immigration law expertise to provide immigration-related legal services and advice to an alien who is a permanent resident, DACA/Refugee status or eligible for, and is in the removal procedures.

H.R.912 - Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2017

H.Con.Res.25 - Expressing the sense of Congress on the admission of refugees and immigrants to the United States.- Expressing the sense of Congress on the admission of refugees and immigrants to the United States.

H.R.748 - Safeguarding Sanctuary Cities Act of 2017 - That if a state or local government has in place any policy that limits compliance with a detainer, federal financial assistance that the state or local government would otherwise receive may not be reduced or withheld by reason of such noncompliance.

H.R.722 - No Funds for Unconstitutional Executive Orders Act - This bill prohibits any federal agency funds, resources, or fees from being used to carry out any of the policy changes set forth in the executive order entitled "Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States," signed by President Donald J. Trump on January 27, 2017.

H.R.724 - SOLVE Act of 2017 - This bill states that: (1) beginning on January 27, 2017, Executive Order 13769, entitled "Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States," is null and void, shall have no force and effect, and may not be implemented or enforced; and (2) no federal funds may be used to implement or enforce any of the policy changes set forth in such order. Among the order's major provisions are restrictions on the entry of immigrants and nonimmigrants from seven countries and additional limitations on refugee admissions to the United States.

H.R.1006 - To clarify the rights of all persons who are held or detained at a port of entry or at any detention facility overseen by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

H.Res.102 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the appointment of an independent counsel to investigate actions by United States Customs and Border Protection in apparent violation of judicial orders.