“Hard-working families in pursuit of the American Dream have been shortchanged for far too long with an immigration system that is outdated, inefficient, and systematically flawed. I support a comprehensive approach to immigration reform that keeps our nation safe but at the same time keeps families united.”

SUMMARY OF STANCE

I am a strong supporter of comprehensive immigration reform. It has long been time for Congress to overhaul the current immigration system that is inefficient, ineffective and out of date. We need a legal and fair system that promotes job growth, family reunification, and economic and national security. Because we have not dealt with comprehensive immigration reform, we are seeing a rise in deportations which results in families being broken up.

RELATED LEGISLATION AND ACTIONS

Introducing legislation is just one action that a member of Congress can take to address a concern or issue that impacts constituents. House Members can also introduce Congressional resolutions calling on the House (or even the full Congress) as a body to recognize or support a certain event or position on an issue. Members can write letters to government leaders requesting they take certain action, hold hearings with expert panels to address issues, work with colleagues at the committee level on specific issues, or even make direct in-person appeals to other Members or officials in the government. Here are a few examples of how I have taken action on this issue.

Comprehensive Immigration Reform
 
As the son of an immigrant parent, I understand the hardships of those who are stuck in a system that does not function properly – often denying hardworking people a clearly defined, legal path to citizenship while at times separating families for years at a time. Now, the sweeping new guidelines signed by Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly empowering federal authorities to detain and deport undocumented immigrants inside the United States and at the border confirm that the Trump administration is willing to engage in practices that violate human rights. This aggressive crackdown is immoral and un-American.

These new regulations, which expand immigration raids and the definition of criminal aliens, also intend to deny federal resources to sanctuary cities and enlist local law enforcement to help execute federal immigration policies.  These policies are alarming and raise serious concerns of inadequate due process.

This is not who we are as a country, millions of families across our country, California, and my district are terrified. We need to keep families together and fight for comprehensive immigration reform. Immigrants are a fundamental and invaluable part of our country’s social, economic and cultural fabric.

President Trump Travel Ban

The President’s two attempted travel bans continue a misguided effort that violates our values and does nothing to increase our security. The latest version, which has been stopped in the courts, continues the false and harmful narrative that America is at war with Islam as a religion and contradicts our long history of welcoming refugees and people from every country. I still believe strongly that our nation is great because it is built by refugees and immigrants from every part of the world and I will continue to oppose the President’s shortsighted, ill-conceived efforts to ban and divide.

Importance of Protecting DACA

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, created by President Obama in 2012, protects undocumented youth from deportation and allows them to legally work in the United States.

We know now that DACA recipients are making significant contributions to our economy and that DACA has had an important positive impact on employment, earnings and education.

DACA recipients contribute in all sectors of the economy. The temporary work authorization that comes with DACA has helped recipients unlock their own economic potential, having a tremendous positive effect on wages and allowing recipients to help their families financially.

The DACA program has been a major driver of economic growth and has promoted positive educational and employment outcomes for these individuals and their families, as well as cities and states that reap the benefits of new tax dollars from economic development and new jobs. Almost five years later, the positive effects of DACA on the lives of undocumented young people and their families have been enormous.

I believe we need to protect our promising undocumented youth and keep this program intact until we can pass comprehensive immigration legislation.