Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) released the following statement on the status of immigration reform in Congress:
“I’ve always said that securing our borders must be the first step in reforming our broken immigration system, and both bills originally slated to be considered by the House this week would have provided the funds necessary to do that.
“Both bills likewise would have address the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) issue. DACA recipients, young adults who arrived in our country illegally as children, should not be rewarded for their parents’ crime but they should not be punished for it either. Neither bill would have granted them citizenship or unconditional amnesty, but both would have provided certainty for those who have since followed our laws and become productive, educated members of our society.
“While the policy of separating families seeking asylum has been temporarily halted by the president’s executive order, Congress must act to prevent this upsetting and unnecessary situation from occurring again. The immigration debate is far from settled, and I look forward to continuing to work through the legislative process toward a solution that is just and fair.”
