Immigration
The United States is a country built on the contributions of immigrants and their families seeking the American Dream. As an immigrant myself, I have had the privilege to experience this first hand and witness just how much immigrants enrich our society.
Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have strongly supported comprehensive immigration reform as the solution to fixing our Nation’s broken immigration system. Congress must come together to pass legislation that addresses the issue in a fair and compassionate way while acknowledging the causes of illegal immigration into country, such as the widespread violence in Central America, and work with our neighbors in the Western Hemisphere to find solutions.
Since the beginning of his campaign the President has used hateful rhetoric to target immigrants. As President, this has continued in numerous executive actions, including limiting visitation from specific countries, pausing the acceptance of refugees, and terminating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. I am extremely disappointed that the President has turned his back on the foundation of our country as a nation of immigrants and seeks to build walls between communities. Divisive language and policies will only aggravate the problems facing our immigration system while weakening our economy and national security.
I am extremely opposed to all of these actions and have cosponsored numerous pieces of legislation in an attempt to counter the President’s attempts to divide us. Among these pieces of legislation is the bipartisan H.R. 3440, the DREAM Act, introduced by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA). This extremely popular piece of legislation would enable millions of undocumented young people, who came here as children and know no other home, to enter a pathway to citizenship. This pathway would be open to law-abiding DREAMers who meet a series of qualifications and would take approximately 8-13 years. H.R. 3440 has widespread bipartisan support and I am disappointed that Speaker Ryan has ignored requests to hold a vote on it.
Congress can no longer ignore the problems in our immigration system that harm those who are seeking a better life free of poverty, war, and violence. We must come together to craft reform that will resolve the flaws in our current system to create one that will treat all people equally, humanely, and compassionately.
More on Immigration
Last week, I joined my colleagues in the House in passing several important pieces of legislation, including an assault weapons ban, a package of investments in domestic semiconductor development and scientific research, a whole-of-government response to droughts and wildfires, and legislation to ensure access to telehealth after the pandemic ends.
Last week, I joined my colleagues in the House in passing several important pieces of legislation, including the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and two bills to protect access to reproductive health care. I also signed onto letters to urge the Senate to take action on immigration reform and to urge the EPA to use its existing authorities to protect millions of Americans from air pollutants and joined legislation to condemn the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and commit Congress to advancing reproductive justice.
This week, I signed onto a letter to urge President Biden to work with the Senate to move forward climate change legislation and a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas to ensure that the United for Ukraine program is administered fairly to all those in need, and joined several pieces of legislation to protect personal reproductive health data and to prevent future infant formula shortages.
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the Supreme Court released its decision on Biden v. Texas, ruling in favor of the Biden administration. The Remain in Mexico policy had forced asylum seekers from a third country who passed through Mexico to remain in Mexico as they await the adjudication of their asylum case in an enormously backlogged asylum system.
This week, I grieved with the rest of the nation as another mass shooting stole the lives of innocent children and urged the Senate to pass background check reforms which have already passed the House of Representatives. I also cosponsored legislation to recognize educator mental health, improve mental health services for LGBTQ+ youth, and include underrepresented communities in clinical trials.
This week, the House of Representatives took several important votes to address fuel price gouging, domestic terrorism, the infant formula shortage crisis, the needs of veterans, and support for law enforcement and public safety officers. I also joined letters to urge the administration provide Temporary Protected Status to Central American countries and to ensure greater food security in Haiti. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also announced that New Jersey will receive $221 million for important water infrastructure projects.
This week, I joined my colleagues in passing several important pieces of legislation which would hold Russia accountable for inhumane treatment of Ukrainians, cut off Russia and Belarus from normal trade relations, and further tighten sanctions on Russia. I also joined a letter to the administration urging further action to welcome Ukrainian refugees. In addition, I joined House Democrats in support of legislation to replenish funds to support struggling restaurants impacted by the pandemic.
This week, I joined my colleagues in passing several important pieces of legislation which would cap the cost of lifesaving insulin, improve access to child care and long-term care services, address sexual harassment in transportation, make improvements to retirement plans, and decriminalize marijuana. In addition, I signed onto letters to urge the administration to include Taiwan in an international economic framework, relieve the burden of student loan debt, and include COVID-19 centers as a protected area from immigration enforcement.
Last week, I celebrated my alma mater, St Peter's, and its men's basketball team in their defeat of Kentucky and Murray State to advance to the Sweet Sixteen during March Madness. In Washington, the House of Representatives passed several pieces of legislation, including measures to empower workers in arbitration cases, suspend trade relations with Russia and Belarus, and put an end to racial hair-based discrimination.
This week, the House of Representatives passed important pieces of legislation to fund the government and invest in the American people in fiscal year 2022, support the Ukrainian people as they defend their country from Russia’s unjust invasion, and ban imports of Russian oil. In addition, I introduced legislation with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) to restart the Cuba Family Reunification Program.