Washington, D.C. — Following today’s landmark Senate passage of S. 744, the “Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act,” Angela Maria Kelley, Vice President for Immigration Policy at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
Today’s historic 68-32 Senate vote on immigration reform fast-forwards the prospects for robust legislation reaching the president’s desk. The bill passed today reflects the will of the American people and meets the needs of our nation today and in the future by including a path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in our country along with a strategy to address future immigration so we aren’t having this debate again in 10 years.
While the bill passed today isn’t perfect, it does include important provisions to reunite families, expansive opportunities for DREAMers, and a plan for legalization and citizenship that respects our country’s history as a nation of immigrants. This bill will also reap economic benefits whose ripple effects will help improve the economic standing of millions of Americans. It’s been a long journey to today’s victory, and we have plenty of work ahead in the House, but today’s Senate vote solidifies the momentum behind real reform and a brighter future for America. The House of Representatives should act swiftly and deliver similar smart and forward-thinking legislation in the weeks ahead.
To speak with CAP experts on this issue, contact Crystal Patterson at [email protected] or 202.478.6350.
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