ImmigrationHouse speaker clarifies position on immigration reform
House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) told reported on Monday that improvements in border security must be “in place” before a pathway to immigration is to begin. Boehner will head a special meeting of the House Republican Conference today to debate immigration reform.
House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) told reported on Monday that improvements in border security must be “in place” before a pathway to immigration is to begin.
“The House is going to do its own job on developing an immigration bill,” Boehner said.. “But it’s real clear, from everything that I’ve seen and read over the last couple of weeks, that the American people expect that we’ll have strong border security in place before we begin the process of legalizing and fixing our legal immigration system.”
The Hillnotes that Boehner’s comments are the first indication of his stance on immigration reform proposals, and that they highlight the main point of contention regarding the Senate-approved immigration reform bill: exactly when would illegal immigrants be eligible for provisional legal status on the path to full citizenship.
In the Senate bill, immigrants would be granted provisional legal status as early as six months after the law is enacted. Many Republicans want specific enhancements made to the southern border before legalization is to begin.
Boehner also stressed for any immigration bill to come to a vote in the House it must earn the support of a majority of House Republicans.
Boehner will head a special meeting of the House Republican Conference today to debate immigration reform. Minority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Virginia) said the House could vote on proposals before the end of the month.
Immigration reform advocates on both sides of the political sppectrum have continued efforts to pressure the House to support a path to citizenship.
The American Action Network, a conservative group, has been buying as space on Fox News urging Republicans to back the “border surge” which will allocate $30 billion to boost border security. The provision was added to the Senate bill before it passed.
The group United We Dream is planning rallies and a mock citizenship ceremony today to coincide with the GOP meeting.
“We will not take any more compromises,” Evelyn Rivera, a member of the United We Dream National Coordinating Committee told the Hill.
