Reps. Polis and Perlmutter Push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Press Release

Reps. Jared Polis (CO-02) and Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) joined 37 members of the moderate, pro-growth New Democrat Coalition calling on Speaker John Boehner to introduce a comprehensive, bipartisan bill to fix the nation's broken immigration system by September 30 or the New Dems will move forward on their own.

"We are both a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants," Congressman Polis stated. "As the great-grandson of immigrants and as an entrepreneur, I know the contribution that immigration makes to our economy and understand that so much of what makes us great -- our American ingenuity and innovation -- are characteristics that stem from our identity as a country of immigrants. We in Congress cannot continue to kick the can down the road on immigration reform; we must seize this opportunity to pass a bipartisan immigration reform package that reflects our values as Americans."

"There is bipartisan support for fixing our broken immigration system, and we need to move forward with a comprehensive approach," said Perlmutter. "We know the American public stands with us as we work to fix a badly broken system, create American jobs, lower our deficit, and give millions of undocumented Americans an earned pathway to citizenship. We can't delay a comprehensive bill any further."

In the letter, the New Dems expressed frustration that a bipartisan immigration reform bill was not introduced prior to the August district work period. In an effort to work across the aisle for reform, the Coalition signaled its willingness to deliver the deciding votes on a "comprehensive and bipartisan immigration package that includes a pathway to citizenship."

Without action by September 30, however, the New Dems plan to proceed to push a bipartisan measure on their own.

"We have the support of the American people. We hope we can count on your support," the New Dems said in their letter to Speaker Boehner.

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