AILA Urges Congress to Act Swiftly to Complete a Comprehensive Immigration Reform Plan

In the wake of the Democrats winning control of both houses of the U.S. Congress in the 2006 Midterm elections, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is urging Congress to act quickly to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform. In 2006, the Senate passed a Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill, S. 2611, which would have greatly expanded immigration benefits, and increased immigration enforcement. However, the Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives stymied that bill. Now that the Democrats will control both houses in the new Congress, AILA is calling for the new Congress to act swiftly to pass the reform bill.

Since President Bush supports Comprehensive Immigration Reform, as do most Democrats, it is possible that the new Congress will be able to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

AILA's Press Release of November 9, 2006, stated in part:

After the dust settles on this election, one hard fact will remain unchanged: America continues to suffer from a failing immigration system. With electoral posturing temporarily quieted, we urge the new Congress to act swiftly and complete work on a fair, practical immigration reform plan.

The Senate started us down the right path last spring, with the historic debate on and passage of a bipartisan bill, S. 2611. But House leadership stymied that effort and the legislation remains stalled. The new Congress must overcome this impasse and construct a realistic immigration system that meets the needs of our economy, our families, and our national security.

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"The rigid, impractical position on undocumented immigration set forth by hardliners failed to connect with voters," said Ms. Tapia-Ruano. "Americans want a comprehensive approach to immigration reform; over and over, public opinion polls indicate that over 70 percent of Americans favor a comprehensive approach to immigration reform, including a pathway to citizenship and a guest worker program."

President Bush opined today that there is a "good chance" the next Congress can pass comprehensive reform, which he characterized as "an issue where I believe we can find some common ground with the Democrats." We agree. A practical solution to our immigration woes is at hand; now all the new Congress has to do is seize it.