Day 2 of Mark-Up Keeps Immigration Bill Strong for Working Families

While a few House members ignore cues, Senators support amendments to safeguard worker protections and strengthen America's diversity and economy

WASHINGTON, DC - On the second day of mark-up in the Senate Judiciary Committee, new amendments were added to the bipartisan immigration bill, serving to strengthen protections for current and future working families and cultivate immigration from underrepresented countries.

As the Senate moves closer to reaching an immigration solution that honors workers and paves a roadmap to citizenship for aspiring Americans, a handful of conservative Congressmen held a press conference to oppose the Senate immigration legislation, defiantly ignoring the growing consensus in Washington and across America that demands true commonsense immigration reform.

The Service Employees International Union's (SEIU) Secretary-Treasurer, Eliseo Medina, released the following statement:

Today's lively debate yielded the passage of several good amendments to an immigration bill that is closer to reaching a threshold of a new beginning for America. With amendments that recognize the rights of both working families and employers and the delicate balance of our economy, the bipartisan committee of Senators continues to demonstrate their commitment to the public's call for commonsense immigration reform that remains true to our nation's values.

"We also saw today a majority of support for an amendment that seeks to continue cultivating the contributions of immigrants from the African diaspora and other underrepresented countries--a valuable and compassionate addition to the bill.

"No doubt, there is still much work ahead for the Senators and the communities in support of this legislation. However, the momentum for immigration reform is persistently growing and will not be deterred by a few members of the House who choose to push Band-Aid bills that will do little to gain support from the American public. The call for a comprehensive and fair immigration solution with a roadmap to citizenship is the future that America demands and will fight for in the coming weeks and months."

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