[ad_1]
Democratic senator leading effort to pass Biden Senate immigration bill says it will be a ‘Herculean’ effort to pass sweeping legislation amid opposition Republican significant bill, which includes a path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants.
“As someone who has been engaged in these battles for almost two decades, I have no illusions. I have known from my time in the Gang of Eight that pushing immigration reform through the Senate is a particularly Herculean task, ”said Sen. Bob Mendendez, DN .J., Said in a session. virtual information presenting the legislation.
THE BIDEN IMMIGRATION BILL REPLACES “ FOREIGNER ” IN “ NON-CITIZEN ” IN THE CONTEXT OF A REVIEW
The 2021 Citizenship Law would grant protected status and an eight-year citizenship path for illegal immigrants to the country starting January 1. In addition, it would make agricultural workers and beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. (DACA) immediately eligible for green cards.
While it includes some border security provisions, including increased technology in ports, it is less forceful in these areas than in previous attempts at immigration reform. It would also create refugee processing centers in Central America and increase the number of immigration judges.
The bill would also open a number of avenues for legal immigration, including the “clawback” of unused family and work visas from recent years, the elimination of visa backlogs and the increase in the number of annual diversity lottery visas at 80,000 versus 55,000.
Menendez is leading the campaign to pass the legislation in the Senate, the chamber where it will be most difficult to pass. Menendez was part of the bipartisan Gang of Eight that in 2013 crafted a compromise on immigration reform. This bill was passed by the Senate, but never passed by the then Republican-controlled House.
Now Democrats have a slim majority in the House and will have control of the Senate, but with a 50-50 split of lawmakers. The bill will need 60 votes to overcome the filibuster in the chamber – which means 10 Republicans are expected to get on board.
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IMPOSES 100-DAY ‘BREAK’ FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT DEPORTATIONS
Menendez noted that the 2013 legislation was passed with bipartisan support and said he had a history of negotiating bipartisan deals in the Senate and was ultimately positive about the chances of doing the same here.
“I think we can do it on immigration reform,” he said.
But so far there are few signs of Republicans playing ball. GOP Senate Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday that the Biden administration had “sketched out a massive general amnesty proposal that would gut U.S. law enforcement while creating huge new incentives for people to rush here illegally at the same time.
“This kind of failed approach will invite another humanitarian crisis to our border and put powerful interests ahead of American workers,” McConnell said.
Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Who was part of the 2013 Gang of Eight along with Menendez, called the amnesty a “non-rookie” this week.
“America should always welcome immigrants who want to become Americans. But we need laws that decide who and how many people can come here, and those laws need to be followed and enforced,” Rubio said in a statement.
“There are many problems, I think we can work in cooperation with President-elect Biden, but a general amnesty for people who are here illegally will not be one of them,” he said. declared.
Democrats are urging business groups and activists to rally for the passage and put pressure on Republicans. Menendez said business people should “give him everything you have”, while telling activists and labor groups, “We have work to do”.
Separately, the George W. Bush Institute released a statement Thursday saying it was “pleased to see President Biden prioritize action on immigration and recognize Congress’ essential role in enacting a significant and lasting reform “.
BIDEN IMMIGRATION BILL PUT MILLIONS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ON A 8-YEAR RAPID PATH TO CITIZENSHIP
But Republicans will face pressure from conservative groups and those calling for lower immigration levels overall, who want Republicans not to support any form of bill.
“President Biden and the Democrats in Congress are sending an undeniable signal that they will do nothing to protect the interests or security of the American people in matters of immigration – even in the midst of a global pandemic and economic crisis.” , RJ Hauman, director of government relations at the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), told Fox News. “Senate Republicans must stand firm and reject this blatant amnesty-based masquerade.”
Menendez himself previously acknowledged to the Washington Post that the text is “certainly” more liberal than the 2013 effort and called it on Thursday a “bold, forward-looking bill” that would be difficult to secure. Republican support and said it may require negotiations. to get that support.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
But while acknowledging that the way forward was difficult, he said he believed the move would be successful – and cited support from Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“As I prepare to present the 2021 US Citizenship Act to the Senate, I know President Biden and Vice President Harris will be strong partners,” he said. “They want to do it and we will.”
[ad_2]
Source link