President Obama has offered a ray of hope to immigrant families.
Up to 5 million mothers and fathers will be saved from the daily fear that they will be separated from their children. They’ll be able to pursue work legally instead of being victimized by unscrupulous employers. They’ll have a life of dignity, instead of one lived in the shadows.
President Obama’s action pays tribute to the idea that if you work hard, play by the rules, and do your part, you’ll have a shot.
But it’s important to remember: This isn’t a permanent solution — it’s a starting point.
We need a bill. We need comprehensive immigration reform that will provide lasting solutions to our immigration crisis.
We all know: Our immigration system is broken.
In 2013, a bipartisan group of Senators passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill. John Boehner, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and other House Republican leaders have refused to even bring the bill up for a vote.
That’s why President Obama used his lawful authority to take action on immigration reform.
In Washington State, undocumented immigrants make up 3.4 percent of the population and 5.1 percent of the workforce. Removing undocumented immigrants would cost our state $14.5 billion in economic activity.
They play a critical role in our agricultural industry and the economy east of the mountains. By blocking immigration reform, Cathy McMorris Rodgers is again prioritizing her party over the people she is supposed to represent.
Some Republicans are even talking about forcing another government shutdown. Once again, Republicans are threatening to hold our country hostage if they don’t get their way.
