Early this morning the Senate Gang of 8 introduced their bipartisan immigration bill. The following is a statement from Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice Education Fund, reacting to today’s news:
We applaud the Senate Gang of 8’s efforts and are very optimistic that we are closer than ever to making history. We must remember that this bill is a compromise – and although it’s not the bill we would have written – it represents a strong bipartisan agreement and an excellent start to the coming debate. The bill will create a roadmap to citizenship, strengthen our economy, protect many families, treat American and immigrant workers fairly and put DREAMers, farmworkers, and other long-term residents on an accelerated path to citizenship.
We will continue to work to improve this bill through the legislative process and ensure a wide and inclusive path to citizenship that will not be endangered by border triggers, will reunite all families – including LGBT families — will treat workers fairly, protect rights, and end the wasteful spending in our enforcement system. The American people support immigration reform. The President and Democrats want reform. The Republicans need reform. And our movement is determined to deliver workable and humane reform this year.