| Immigration Reform Not a Race |
| Feb-05-2013 |
| Keywords: immigration reform, not a race, border security, worker, |
The House of Representatives kicked off the debate on immigration reform at a hearing held by its Judiciary Committee.
The committee, chaired by Virginia Republican Bob Goodlatte, heard from individuals on both sides of the issue.
Rep. Goodlatte set the goal of the hearing, saying that "We all agree that our nation's immigration system is in desperate need of repair," said committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va. "But before we rush to judgment, we need to carefully look at the current laws on the books to see what is and isn't working. Reforming our nation's immigration laws is a massive undertaking and is too important to not examine each piece in detail."
Goodlatte's comments follow calls from the President to get immigration reform done, and get it done soon or he'll offer his own bill and demand that Congress vote on his bill.
While some on Capitol Hill are pushing for a comprehensive immigration reform package, several House Republicans homed in Tuesday on a handful of policy changes they argued should take priority -- including improving the visa system for immigrants who graduate from American schools and dealing with illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as children.
House Republican Leader Eric Cantor, during a policy speech Tuesday at the American Enterprise Institute, called for helping the youngest illegal immigrants while saying the debate must balance "respect for the rule of law and respect for those waiting to enter this country legally."
"We can save the economy, and immigration is one of the ways to make it happen," said Vivek Wadhwa, director of research at Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering, during the hearing.
While the House held its hearing, Obama held separate White House meetings with labor and business leaders to discuss a wide range of issues, including immigration reform and how it fits into the broader economic picture.
Among the most high-profile speakers at the House hearing was Julian Castro, the Democratic mayor of San Antonio, Texas. He urged Congress to help those brought to the United States illegally by their parents and businesses that are helping train highly skilled immigrants, only to see them deported.
"The reforms that you have on the table are ... pro-family and pro-business," Castro testified. "Every year as competition increases, American companies throw up their hands, watch those trained in American universities leave in frustration."
While Obama and other Democrats have called for expedient and comprehensive reform, Republicans on Tuesday cautioned against passing legislation without a thorough debate.
House Speaker John Boehner told reporters he was pleased with the bipartisan Senate effort on immigration, but the reform effort is "not a race. It's about trying to get it right."
Read more about today's House immigration reform hearing on FoxNews.com. |
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Posted by Lou Dobbs Staff at 2:00 PM Email to a friend |
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