“We believe that people should wait their time, and people should be able to be accepted here - over a million a year - in an orderly process, not a disorderly process, and that we should not be rewarding those who violate the law, and making even harder for those who try to comply with the law.” PeopleShouldTryingYearsBelieveAbleLawWaitingProcessMillionsHarderAcceptedImmigrationOrderlyImmigration Reform Author:Jeff Sessions
“Amnesty will not help balance our budget ... In fact, a large-scale amnesty is likely to add trillions of dollars to the debt over time, accelerate Medicare's and Social Security's slide into insolvency and put enormous strain on our public-assistance programs.” FactsHelpingSocialSecurityBalanceProgramDollarsAddDebtScalesEnormousImmigrationBudgetsAssistanceStrainSocial SecuritySlidesMedicareImmigration ReformAccelerateLarge ScaleAmnestyInsolvency Author:Jeff Sessions
“We have history as a guide, and history suggests that this brand of comprehensive reform ... is a recipe for failure.” GuidesImmigrationBrandsReformRecipesComprehensiveImmigration Reform Author:David Vitter
“There seems to be a lot of momentum behind immigration reform.” SeemsBehindsImmigrationReformMomentumImmigration Reform Author:Justin Amash
“I think something substantial will pass out of the House at some point during this term.” ThinkingHouseTermImmigrationImmigration Reform Author:Justin Amash
“Gotta have safety at our borders. We're a sovereign nation, gotta protect our borders. Make sure the workplace doesn't become a magnet for folks to be hired without the authorization. And then let's be realistic and sensible about how we approach all those folks who made America their home, established businesses, have children who have gone on to be valedictorians at their high school - and let's do these things in a very sensible way.” WayChildrenMadeHomeSchoolAmericaNationsGoneProtectApproachHigh SchoolSafetyFolksImmigrationBordersRealisticSensibleSovereignWorkplaceMagnetImmigration ReformValedictorians Author:Xavier Becerra
“It is my hope that I can stand before you in two years and report back that our side, as well as the president's, found within us the ability to set differences aside, to provide relief to so many millions of Americans who simply want their life to work again.” WantYearsWellsI CanTwoFoundSidesPresidentDifferencesAbilityMillionsImmigrationReportsReliefTwo YearsImmigration Reform Author:Eric Cantor
“A good place to start is with the kids ... One of the great founding principles of our country was that children would not be punished for the mistakes of their parents. It is time to provide an opportunity for legal residence and citizenship for those who were brought to this country as children and who know no other home.” KnowsChildrenCountryHomeKidsOpportunityParentMistakePrinciplesImmigrationOur CountryCitizenshipFoundingGood PlaceImmigration ReformResidence Author:Eric Cantor
“I still believe the momentum is there to accomplish comprehensive immigration reform, and I think there is a bipartisan coalition that would pass right now, a pathway to citizenship if Speaker Boehner lets it come to the floor.” IfsThinkingBelieveStillsRight NowAccomplishImmigrationReformSpeakersCitizenshipMomentumComprehensivePathwaysCoalitionsI Still BelieveImmigration ReformBipartisan Author:Joaquin Castro
“It's different when you talk about immigration in the abstract... It's very different when you sit in front of a family, and [undocumented] children who grew up in this country, and who go to the same school you once went to... They thought if we only enforce the law, people will self-deport... It's not going to happen. The solution is not the status quo, or deportation when you're talking about breaking up families.” PeopleIfsChildrenDifferentSelfCountryHappensSchoolLawTalkingFrontsGrewGrew UpSolutionsImmigrationAbstractStatus QuoImmigration ReformDeportation Author:Mike Coffman
“I am now more sure than ever that we're going to have a bipartisan bill ... making incredible progress.” ProgressBillsIncrediblesImmigrationImmigration ReformBipartisan Author:Mario Diaz-Balart
“A guest worker program should help farmers who are willing to pay a fair wage for law-abiding, dependable workers - not punish them ... And for this reason I support replacing the H-2A program and implementing new policies that will bring our illegal agricultural workers out of the shadows, as a first step in the process of overhauling our nation's immigration system.” ShouldFirstsReasonHelpingLawNationsProcessPayStepsSupportPolicyWillingShadowFairsProgramWorkersImmigrationIllegalFarmersGuestsFirst StepsAbidingImmigration ReformDependableImplementing Author:Bob Goodlatte
“The time for common-sense immigration reform is now," Grayson said in a news release. "We must set forth a straightforward route to citizenship for the undocumented immigrants who already live in our communities, work for our businesses and want to give back to the country that they call home.” WantGivingSaidCountryHomeCommunityCommonNewsImmigrationCommon SenseReleaseReformImmigrantsCitizenshipRoutesGiving BackStraightforwardOur CommunityImmigration ReformUndocumented Immigrants Author:Alan Grayson
“I will argue until my last breath for a pathway to citizenship that is quick and efficient because I want to end this chapter. I want to end it...But let me say, conversely, I am as committed as any Republican to ending illegal immigration as we know it...They want to end it. So do I.” KnowsWantEndsLastsRepublicanLet MeBreathsCommittedArguingImmigrationIllegalEfficientChaptersCitizenshipPathwaysImmigration ReformIllegal Immigration Author:Luis Gutierrez
“The politics, policies, the President [Barack Obama] and the American people are all pointing in the right direction to fix our immigration system and pass legislation this year.” PeopleYearsPresidentPolicyImmigrationBarackLegislationPointingPresident Barack ObamaRight DirectionImmigration Reform Author:Luis Gutierrez
“As Dr. King said, an injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. It is that creed of the civil rights movement that still motivates us today...So today, we take up the cause of joining arms with our immigrant brothers and sisters in that spirit... to lend a hand to those who confront injustice as a result of a broken immigration system.” SaidStillsHandsTodaySpiritCausesJusticeResultsRightsMovementBrotherBrokenArmsKingsThreatInjusticeImmigrationCivil RightsImmigrantsCreedsDrsBrothers And SistersJoiningCivil Rights MovementImmigration ReformInjustice Anywhere Author:Steven Horsford
“Told reporters Wednesday he can support a pathway to citizenship for some of the 11 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. and that he actually prefers it to a plan that would create a second-class of citizens through alternative programs.” ClassMillionsSupportPlansCitizensProgramImmigrationAlternativesImmigrantsIllegalReportersCitizenshipPathwaysWednesdayImmigration ReformIllegal Immigrants Author:Darrell Issa
“I support the framework that the bipartisan group of senators are working on...We have to remember the 11 million people who are here are people...[i]t's what Abraham Lincoln would have said, it is what the Republican Party stands for. It is the reason we have to get it right on who stays and who goes.” PeopleSaidReasonRememberPartyMillionsSupportGroupsRepublicanImmigrationSenatorsRepublican PartyFrameworkAbrahamImmigration ReformBipartisan Author:Darrell Issa
“We can't really have a serious debate about reform on immigration if we don't have operational control of the border. ... With the executive order out there, with the urgency of the threat, I think it's very likely that we'll get something passed, later this year.” IfsThinkingYearsOrderSeriousThreatDebateImmigrationReformBordersExecutivesUrgencyImmigration ReformExecutive Orders Author:Michael McCaul
“The good news is that we really do think that ... on the immigration issue, that we will, before summer, have comprehensive immigration reform.” ThinkingIssuesSummerNewsImmigrationReformGood NewsComprehensiveImmigration Reform Author:Nancy Pelosi
“Yes, absolutely because we think there is a way to do this through earned legalization without rewarding people who have come in with undocumented status, illegally. We don't want to give them an advantage over those who came here legally and we think that there's a way to do this while still respecting the rule of law. It's clear that what the President is talking about does not do that.” PeopleThinkingWayWantGivingDoeStillsLawPresidentTalkingClearAdvantageImmigrationRule Of LawImmigration Reform Author:Paul Ryan
“Partial legalization, as some are suggesting, is a dangerous path, and we need only look at France and Germany to see how unwise it is to create a permanent underclass.” NeedsLooksPathDangerousImmigrationFrancePermanentGermanySuggestingImmigration ReformUnwise Author:Zoe Lofgren
“When you take comprehensive, then we're dealing with certain issues like full citizenship ... And whatever else we disagree on, I think we would agree on that that's a more toxic and contentious issue, granting full amnesty.” ThinkingCertainIssuesAgreeImmigrationDisagreeToxicCitizenshipComprehensiveImmigration ReformAmnestyContentious Author:Herbert Spencer
“You wouldn't replace your carpet at home if you still had a hole in the roof...We're talking about any time you start waving a carrot such as American citizenship without securing the borders, that number [of undocumented immigrants] that we have today I believe will double or triple.” IfsBelieveStillsHomeTodayI BelieveNumbersTalkingImmigrationHolesBordersImmigrantsRoofCitizenshipCarpetCarrotsImmigration ReformUndocumented ImmigrantsAmerican Citizenship Author:Lou Barletta
“It's amnesty that America can't afford. We have to stop people from coming in illegally. This will be a green light for anyone who wants to come to America illegally and then be granted citizenship one day... The majority that are here illegally are low-skilled or may not even have a high school diploma. The Republican Party is not going to compete over who can give more social programs out. They will become Democrats because of the social programs they'll depend on.” PeopleWantGivingMayLightSchoolAmericaSocialPartyDependsRepublicanOne DayLowsHigh SchoolProgramGreenMajorityDemocratImmigrationGrantedCitizenshipRepublican PartyImmigration ReformAmnestyDiplomaGreen LightsSocial ProgramsHigh School Diploma Author:Lou Barletta
“All I can tell you is what I see at home- a lot of lessons learned from '86. That, 'OK, we'll go one-time amnesty and after that we'll really be good.' But nobody believes it this time, nobody believes it.” BelieveI CanHomeLessonsBe GoodImmigrationOne TimeImmigration ReformAmnestyLesson Learned Author:Michael C. Burgess
“People have a pathway to citizenship right now: It's to abide by the immigration laws, and if they have a family relationship, if they have a job skill that allows them to do that, they can obtain citizenship.” PeopleIfsJobsLawRight NowSkillsImmigrationCitizenshipPathwaysImmigration ReformFamily RelationshipImmigration Laws Author:Bob Goodlatte
“But simply someone who broke the law, came here, say, 'I'll give you citizenship now,' that I don't think is going to happen.” ThinkingGivingHappensLawImmigrationBrokeCitizenshipImmigration Reform Author:Bob Goodlatte
“So I think there's going to be a constituent backlash against this thing soon, as they see it moving in that direction...Whether they can pass something before the American public wakes up, I don't know.” ThinkingKnowsMovingWake UpImmigrationConstituentsMoving InImmigration ReformBacklash Author:Steve King
“Even Republicans seem to think that these undocumented Democrats could be made [GOP] voters...and what happens is that two out every three that would be legalized [and] become Democrats. And it's not 12 million. It's more like 20 million...But it isn't just the equation of 2/3 of over 20 million that will vote for the guy who opposes our conservative candidate whoever that might be, but it's also those who will leave us if we fail them...We have to go back and tie together and restore the pillars of American exceptionalism and the rule of law is essential.” IfsThinkingMadeTwoSeemsMightHappensWould BeTogetherLawGuyThreeMillionsFailingRepublicanEssentialsVoteDemocratConservativeImmigrationTiesCandidatesVotersEquationsRule Of LawPillarsImmigration ReformGopExceptionalismAmerican Exceptionalism Author:Steve King
“I thought that conclusion that we leaped to right after the election, that has been disproven statistically so many times, I don't know why Republicans would advocate that advocating for comprehensive immigration reform is somehow a political solution for the Republicans losing a percentage of Hispanics. I probably have less appetite for this than either the Senate or colleagues in the House, certainly the Democrats and most likely members of the Republican Conference. They are still wrestling with trying to get their education up to a level where they can actually advocate for policy.” KnowsTryingHas BeensStillsPoliticalHouseLevelsPolicyRepublicanMembersLosingSolutionsElectionDemocratImmigrationConclusionReformWrestlingAppetiteSenateColleaguesConferencesPercentagesComprehensiveAdvocatingImmigration Reform Author:Steve King
“A special pathway to citizenship is off the table... when I talk to members of the group in the Senate, they're saying that we're both saying the same thing.” GroupsSpecialMembersTablesImmigrationSenateCitizenshipPathwaysTalk To MeImmigration Reform Author:Raul Labrador
“Any new pathway to citizenship is completely off the table ... [Illegal immigrants should be able to get citizenship] the same way as any other immigrant has to do it ... You have to apply for legal permanent residence, be it family-based or employment-based. You shouldn't be treated worse than the people doing it the right way, but I think it would be unconscionable for us to treat them better than the people who are doing it the right way.” PeopleThinkingWayShouldWould BeAbleTreatsTablesImmigrationTreatedEmploymentPermanentImmigrantsIllegalCitizenshipRight WayPathwaysImmigration ReformIllegal ImmigrantsResidence Author:Raul Labrador
“Extending amnesty to those who came here illegally or overstayed their visas is dangerous waters...We are a nation of laws, and I will evaluate any proposal through that matrix.” LawNationsWaterDangerousImmigrationProposalEvaluateExtendingImmigration ReformVisaAmnesty Author:Jim Sensenbrenner
“It would cost Americans their jobs when they have to compete with millions of more [immigrants] for scarce jobs.” JobsMillionsCostImmigrationImmigrantsScarceImmigration Reform Author:Lamar S. Smith
“American taxpayers will be forced to foot the bill for the overwhelming costs of amnesty. Under current law, once 11 million illegal immigrants receive probationary status, they will immediately have access to federal benefits like Social Security and Obamacare coverage. If we thought we had a problem with government spending before, just wait.” IfsProblemGovernmentLawSocialWaitingMillionsFeetSecurityCostBenefitsBillsCurrentsSpendingAccessImmigrationImmigrantsIllegalOverwhelmingSocial SecurityTaxpayersObamacareCoverageImmigration ReformIllegal ImmigrantsAmnestyGovernment Spending Author:Lamar S. Smith
“We have to stand up for these issues when it's tough, and that's what I've done. I did it when I was in the state legislature, sponsoring the Illinois version of the DREAM Act, so that children who were brought here through no fault of their own are able to go to college, because we actually want well-educated kids in our country who are able to succeed and become part of this economy and part of the American dream.” WantWellsChildrenCountryStatesDoneDreamKidsAbleEconomyIssuesCollegeSucceedToughFaultsImmigrationVersionsEducatedOur CountryAmerican DreamLegislatureImmigration ReformIllinoisWell EducatedState LegislaturesDream Act Author:Barack Obama
“Independent economists say immigration reform will grow our economy and shrink our deficits by almost $1 trillion in the next two decades. And for good reason: when people come here to fulfill their dreams - to study, invent, and contribute to our culture - they make our country a more attractive place for businesses to locate and create jobs for everyone. So let's get immigration reform done this year.” PeopleYearsTwoCountryReasonDoneDreamJobsCultureNextGrowsEconomyStudyIndependentDecadesImmigrationOur CountryReformAttractiveEconomistDeficitShrinksImmigration Reform Author:Barack Obama
“Number one, it is absolutely critical that we tone down the rhetoric when it comes to the immigration debate, because there has been an undertone that has been ugly. Oftentimes, it has been directed at the Hispanic community. We have seen hate crimes skyrocket in the wake of the immigration debate as it has been conducted in Washington, and that is unacceptable.” Has BeensHateCommunityNumbersCrimeUglyCriticalDebateImmigrationToneRhetoricHate CrimeHispanicImmigration Reform Author:Barack Obama
“Estiven Rodriguez couldn't speak a word of English when he moved to New York City at age nine. But last month, thanks to the support of great teachers and an innovative tutoring program, he led a march of his classmates - through a crowd of cheering parents and neighbors - from their high school to the post office, where they mailed off their college applications. And this son of a factory worker just found out he's going to college this fall.” AgeSchoolLastsFallFoundSpeakParentCitiesSupportTeacherNew YorkCollegeSonMonthsOfficeHigh SchoolProgramMovedWorkersCrowdsNeighborNineImmigrationThanksPostsMarchCheerNew York CityApplicationFactoriesInnovativeGreat TeacherImmigration ReformPost OfficeClassmatesGoing To CollegeFactory Workers Author:Barack Obama
“Number one, it is important that we fix the legal immigration system, because right now we've got a backlog that means years for people to apply legally. And what's worse is, we keep on increasing the fees, so that if you've got a hard working immigrant family, they've got to hire a lawyer; they've got to pay thousands of dollars in fees. They just can't afford it. And it's discriminatory against people who have good character, we should want in this country, but don't have the money. So we've got to fix that.” PeopleIfsWantShouldYearsMeanImportantCountryHardCharacterNumbersPayHard WorkRight NowDollarsLawyerImmigrationImmigrantsFeesGood CharacterImmigration ReformLegal Immigration Author:Barack Obama
“I do not want two classes of citizens in this country. I want everybody to prosper. That's going to be a top priority.” WantTwoCountryClassCitizensPrioritiesImmigrationImmigration ReformTop Priorities Author:Barack Obama
“The system isn't working when 12 million people live in hiding, and hundreds of thousands cross our borders illegally each year; when companies hire undocumented immigrants instead of legal citizens to avoid paying overtime or to avoid a union; when communities are terrorized by ICE immigration raids -- when nursing mothers are torn from their babies, when children come home from school to find their parents missing, when people are detained without access to legal counsel. When all that's happening, the system just isn't working.” PeopleYearsChildrenHomeSchoolMotherParentCommunityCompanyMillionsMissingBabyCitizensHappeningsCrossesUnionsAccessImmigrationIceBordersImmigrantsComing HomeHidingTornNursingImmigration ReformUndocumented Immigrants Author:Barack Obama
“I marched with you in the streets of Chicago to meet our immigration challenge. I fought with you in the Senate for comprehensive immigration reform. And I will make it a top priority in my first year as President.” YearsFirstsPresidentChallengesStreetsPrioritiesImmigrationReformChicagoSenateComprehensiveImmigration ReformTop Priorities Author:Barack Obama
“If we are going to solve the challenges we face, you need a President who will pursue genuine solutions day in and day out. And that is my commitment to you. We need immigration reform that will secure our borders, and punish employers who exploit immigrant labor; reform that finally brings the 12 million people who are here illegally out of the shadows by requiring them to take steps to become legal citizens. We must assert our values and reconcile our principles as a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. That is a priority I will pursue from my very first day.” PeopleIfsNeedsFirstsFacesLawValuesNationsPresidentChallengesStepsPrinciplesMillionsCitizensSolutionsShadowCommitmentLaborSolvePrioritiesGenuineImmigrationPursueSecureReformBordersImmigrantsEmployersExploitsReconcileImmigration ReformChallenges We Face Author:Barack Obama
“Together, undocumented people like me and our relatives, friends and allies wait for broader immigration reform, not just for Dreamers but also for undocumented workers of all ages and backgrounds who contribute to our economic security and prosperity.” PeopleAgeTogetherWaitingEconomicSecurityWorkersProsperityBackgroundsImmigrationLike MeReformAlliesDreamerImmigration ReformEconomic SecurityUndocumented Workers Author:Jose Antonio Vargas
“If immigration reform passes, it'll be a big victory for sanity - nobody really believes it's healthy for a country to have millions and millions of undocumented noncitizens living in the shadows. But it'll also be a sign that the Republican Party has gotten tired of letting the Tea Party push it around.” IfsBelieveCountryBigsPartyMillionsVictoryHealthyRepublicanShadowTiredImmigrationReformTeaSanityRepublican PartyTea PartyImmigration Reform Author:Gail Collins
“I started getting more and more active around immigration reform because this was such a waste of lives, such a waste of potential, such a waste for our country not to have the human capital that we developed - geared toward improving our entire society.” HumansCountryWasteActiveImmigrationOur CountryReformImprovingImmigration ReformWaste Of Life Author:Laurene Powell Jobs
“I think conventional wisdom is that time is not on our side. But there are a number of members of Congress who have primaries and when those primaries are done, they may be more inclined to address the issue of comprehensive immigration reform.” ThinkingMayDoneSidesNumbersIssuesMembersCongressImmigrationReformPrimariesAddressesConventionalComprehensiveImmigration ReformConventional Wisdom Author:John McCain
“Hard-working immigrant workers in this country deserve a real path to citizenship as a part of comprehensive immigration reform...We will continue to work with the immigrant rights community and our allies in Congress to devise a truly comprehensive model that places immigrant and workers' rights at the head of the line.” RealCountryHardCommunityLinesPathRightsHard WorkModelsDeserveWorkersCongressImmigrationReformImmigrantsAlliesCitizenshipComprehensiveImmigration ReformWorkers RightsImmigrant Workers Author:John Sweeney