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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Julian Teixeira
jteixeira@nclr.org
(202) 776-1812
Committee approval is important step in realizing comprehensive reform
Today, NCLR (National Council of La Raza) praised the bipartisan efforts of the Senate Judiciary Committee that resulted in the passage of S. 744: the “Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013.” Over the past several weeks, Judiciary Committee members reviewed and voted on hundreds of amendments, many of which threatened to weaken the core of the original proposal meant to overhaul the nation’s broken immigration system.
“We congratulate the Senate Judiciary Committee and Chairman Leahy for conducting a transparent and constructive process that delivered solid progress. Bipartisan efforts in the committee and solid support from the Gang of Eight helped defeat extremist measures that would have undermined real reform. With their actions, Committee members sent a strong message to the whole Senate about moving forward in a way that delivers solutions to fix our broken immigration system, and finally addresses the high economic and human costs of inaction,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR.
The bill is expected to be heard on the Senate floor in June.
“Moving forward, we hope that the Senate debate will focus on our nation’s urgent need for an immigration system appropriate for the 21st century—one that includes an achievable roadmap to legality and citizenship, upholds family and protects workers. Latino voters are deeply invested in this issue and are watching developments closely as this debate now moves to the Senate floor,” concluded Murguía.
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