WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the House of Representatives passed a large-scale legislative package that includes several of the president’s tax and immigration priorities. The bill — which substantially boosts resources for border security and immigration enforcement, including the expansion of detention facilities and deportation efforts — will advance to the president, who intends to sign it.
Jennie Murray, president and CEO of the National Immigration Forum, issued the following statement:
“Given its massive increases in funding for immigration enforcement, this bill will reshape the American immigration system. Moving forward, it is essential for the administration to consider the real impact of these changes on local communities, mixed-status families, American businesses, and the economy. In the past months, we have seen that enforcement actions have increasingly affected long-term residents with no criminal record and, absent a change in approach by the administration, we are deeply concerned this trend will only deepen.
“We hope that now with the significant influx in resources provided, along with the massive reduction in encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border that we’ve already been seeing in recent months, Congress and the administration can shift their attention to other parts of the immigration system in need of reform. As the president himself has noted in recent weeks, ongoing enforcement activities have taken a toll on key sectors of the economy, including agriculture and hospitality.
“Congress and the administration have the opportunity to offer legal work authorization to these and other essential workers, as well as providing legal pathways for law-abiding long-term residents who contribute to our communities and should not be a priority for immigration enforcement actions.
“Because a stronger immigration system requires more than enforcement funding, we need Congress to work on responsible immigration reforms that address these broader challenges within our system—expanding opportunities for lawful work and establishing legal pathways to strengthen our economy.”