"Immigration reform will not occur until conservative Republicans become part of the solution. If you (immigrants) wish to work and live in America, then we will find a place for you." — Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.
"I think all of us know that we don't want a class of residents that will never be offered an opportunity for citizenship." — Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif.
It’s not often I agree with my conservative friends on the other side of aisle. In this case, I couldn’t agree more: Immigration reform must include citizenship for more than 11 million undocumented immigrants. Let’s put aside our differences and work in a bipartisan way to get this job done.
Immigration has reinvigorated America’s workforce, economy, society and culture. Each wave of newcomers brings hope, optimism and determination in pursuing the American Dream. Each wave makes America more diverse and stronger.
We currently have 11 million among us, including 400,000 here in Georgia, who are forced into the shadows of second-class status. No matter how they came here, they are here. We must acknowledge them.
By not establishing a clear pathway to citizenship, we are telling our mostly Latino brothers and sisters that you can cut our lawns, clean for us, cook for us and provide child care for us, but you can never become one of us.
Can we truly say as Americans that, “It is well with my soul”? Aren’t we a society that holds truths to be self-evident that all people have rights, no matter where they come from or who they are?
If those opposed to a path to citizenship have no concern for the soul, maybe they can relate to a report from the National Economic Council: Immigration reform will create jobs, boost economic growth, raise wages, increase productivity, reduce the deficit by nearly $850 billion over the next 20 years and strengthen Social Security. A recent Gallup Poll shows 87 percent of Americans support a pathway to citizenship.
A bipartisan Senate coalition voted 68 to 32 that a path to citizenship must be part of fixing our immigration system. That Senate coalition represents more than 80 percent of the American people. The Senate did its job. Now it’s the House’s turn.
The Senate bill is comprehensive. It offers an opportunity for an immigrant to become a citizen after passing a criminal background check, paying a penalty, learning English and paying back taxes, while it improves border security and e-verification.
The Senate has delivered. I implore my conservative friends in the House to look to the soul, look to the humanity, look to the smart economic policy of comprehensive immigration reform. We can have open honest debate. You can make your points. You can play to your base. But in the end, we need to do what 87 percent of the American people support.
Let’s work together and get the job done.
U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson Jr. represents Georgia’s 4th Congressional District.
