Immigration reform must include path to citizenship, Senate Dems say

0
Sen. Chuck Schumer in 2010

A group of Senate Democrats have sent a message to Democratic members of the House: Do not back down on the “path to citizenship” in any immigration reform.

The four Democratic members of the Senate’s Gang of Eight, which includes Colorado Sen. Michael Bennett, told Democratic members of the House of Representatives that the path to citizenship for immigrants was a requirement for Democrats to approve a new immigration plan.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told the assembly that he saw five options for the House, which is led by Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio. Boehner has already ruled out one, which is passing the Democratic-controlled Senate’s plan. In turn, Schumer encouraged Democrats to rule out one, which is passing immigration reform that doesn’t include a path to citizenship. That leaves three options: do nothing, pass piecemeal legislation or
pass a comprehensive bill with a pathway to citizenship that is different from the Senate’s plan.

The next step in the process is bicameral conferences on immigration reform.

See the story at Politico.