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Immigration

The United States has always been a nation of immigrants. It’s essential that our immigration policies reflect this country’s rich history of diversity and the countless contributions that immigrants have made and continue to make. History tells us that comprehensive immigration reform raises wages, creates jobs, and generates additional tax revenue. That’s why I will continue to work towards pragmatic solutions that reform our broken immigration system, keep our borders secure, and provide a pathway to citizenship for the millions of DREAMers who have only known the U.S. as their homes. 

I believe we can and should create a twenty-first century immigration system that will stimulate jobs, enhance global competitiveness, and help to grow a highly skilled U.S. workforce. During the Trump Administration, I was outspoken against Former-President Trump’s executive orders on immigration, which only further separated families.. I proudly introduced the Safeguarding Sanctuary Cities Act to stand in solidarity with any immigrant seeking security and safety within our cities.  I also continue to fight tirelessly to enact more humane deportation and detention policies, to improve standards and conditions at immigration detention centers, and to protect the legal rights of undocumented immigrants. I support refugee resettlement, policies and efforts to end the costly and arbitrary immigration detention bed quotas and the unnecessary detention of children and families. I have introduced legislation that will increase high skilled visas so that America can continue to attract the world’s best and brightest. And I continue to push for an expansion of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) through the JOLT Act, which will increase tourism and bolster our economy by allowing citizens of selected countries, including Poland, that meet strict U.S. security standards to travel to the U.S. for 90 days without a U.S. visa.

In 2021, I re-introduced the Protecting the Rights Of Towns against federal Enforcement contrary to Constitutional Tenets for Immigration Act, or the PROTECT Immigration Act, legislation that would end the deputization of local and state police departments to enforce immigration law.

America’s strength as a nation is being jeopardized by a broken immigration system that is tearing families apart, disrupting our workforce, and draining our resources. Our nation was built by immigrants, and that proud tradition is more important now than ever before. I’ve met with Chicagoland DREAMers who would face deportation if Congress fails to protect DACA recipients. Here in Congress, I’m proud to support legislation to provide DREAMers with a path to receive permanent resident status and contains other immigration-related provisions. Our actions must reflect our values and our history.  I believe that embracing those who come to America seeking a better life for themselves and their families makes us a stronger and better nation.