Immigration reform is seeing a rejuvenated push. The question is, will it become a reality in 2014?
Here to keep you up-to-date on the debate and legislative progress every Monday is THE UPDATE, a weekly blog series whose panel of experts will analyze how recent events affect the prospects for real reform. The panelists will offer an insider’s view of what’s happening right now on Capitol Hill, bolstered by their decades of experience with immigration reform and the legislative process. Media representatives who wish to speak with one of the panelists, please click here. If you would like to read previous editions of THE UPDATE, please click here. You can read the Spanish version at “Reforma migratoria de 2014: ‘LA ACTUALIZACIÓN’ para el lunes 24 de Febrero.”
Given the most recent developments, are we getting any closer to immigration reform?
Ivone Guillen, Immigration Campaigns and Communications Associate, Sojourners:
Last week, Jim Wallis, president of Sojourners, wrote an op-ed for Time.com about the moral test facing out leaders on immigration reform: “We have arrived at a critical moment of significant moral importance. As I often remind legislators and pastors alike, the policy debate is over. It is just a matter of time before immigration reform is enacted. The only questions left to decide are how much more suffering we will tolerate as a country and how many more families we will tear apart because our leaders refuse to put people before politics.” I hope you’ll read the full article by clicking here.
Nora Skelly, Assistant Director for Advocacy, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
As March approaches and the weather remains wintry in Washington, D.C., action on immigration reform continues to stall in Congress. However, we remain encouraged that the national conversation is progressing. Advocates continue to remind our elected officials that the faith community deeply cares about being a nation that stands for welcome. Fasters on the National Mall have started to take their message around the country while faith advocates protested deportations in front of the White House. This week, two different polls showed that Americans see the benefit in passing an immigration reform bill that includes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. These polls show that more and more people continue to join us in believing in welcoming newcomers with love and respect. We will keep working alongside migrants in our communities to ensure that our message is heard in the halls of Congress and spreads through the nation.
THE UPDATE will appear every Monday until the dust settles on the legislative battle over comprehensive immigration reform. If you wish to raise your voice for fair reform, please visit our Action Center. You can also learn more about the issues by reading two interviews with someone personally impacted by America’s broken immigration system, Jessica Colotl. Also, don’t forget that you can subscribe to this blog by adding your email address to the box at the top left of this page.