My father is a Holocaust survivor, refugee, and immigrant, so the issue of immigration is deeply personal to me. The diversity of the United States is our nation's greatest strength, and we need an immigration system that reflects our values and keeps us safe. People from around the world come to the U.S seeking safety and economic opportunity, and our country is stronger and more competitive on the global stage as a result. For that reason, I was proud to cosponsor and vote for the Dream and Promise Act. This legislation aims to secure permanent residency for immigrants protected under the Deferred Action for Children Arrivals (DACA) program, Temporary Protected Status, and Deferred Enforced humanitarian programs. Furthermore, I have heard from many of you about the importance of legal immigration for our economy. That’s why I co-sponsored H.R. 3648, the Equal Access to Green Cards for Legal Employment (EAGLE) Act and H.R. 3897, the H-2B Returning Worker Exception Act of 2021. These bills would provide much needed reforms to our employment immigration system, ensuring that our local businesses have the labor they need while also protecting Americans’ access to those jobs. Along with the vast majority of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I believe strongly in secure borders - land, air, and sea. We have the honor and duty of upholding our American values as we strive to implement immigration policy that centers on compassion, fairness, and national security. What is happening at our southern border should alarm all of us. When I visited the border in 2019, what was clear was that our facilities lacked, and have been lacking for years, the attention and resources they need. That needs to change, which is why I joined my colleagues across the aisle to vote for a 2022 spending bill providing additional funding for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to better manage immigration across our southern border. I believe in American values and in our potential to be a beacon of hope and opportunity in this world. This country opened its arms to my father, who went on to serve as a career Naval Officer, and I believe families seeking refuge in the U.S. today should have the same opportunity to pursue the American Dream. |
Immigration
