Cross-posted at Huffington Post.
In testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano reiterated the Obama Administration’s plan to push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform legislation early next year.
In her opening statement, Napolitano said:
Finally, we look forward to working with you on immigration reform. The President is committed to that. He is committed to reform that includes serious, effective and sustained enforcement, that includes improved legal flows for families and workers, and a firm way to deal with those already illegally in the country.
We need to demand responsibility and accountability from everyone involved. The Department of Homeland Security, our law enforcement partners, businesses who must be able to find the workers they need here in America, and immigrants themselves as we enforce the law moving forward.
So I look forward to working with you, Mr. Chairman and Senator Sessions and others on this Committee to develop a path forward early next year to reform the immigration system as a whole.
Napolitano’s testimony yesterday echoed her November 13th speech at the Center for American Progress, where she laid out a vision of a “three-legged stool” that includes a commitment to serious and effective immigration enforcement, improved legal flows for families and workers, and a firm but fair way to deal with those who are already here.”
Importantly, Napolitano again gave us a timeline – and as the President himself has stated:
[I]f there are no deadlines, nothing gets done in this town.
