WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to House and Senate votes passing a spending bill to fund the government fully, the following is a statement from Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum:
“Lawmakers recognize that there is no emergency and that the president’s demand for wall funding is not a practical approach to enhancing security at our southern border, which has never been more secure.
“This is another missed opportunity for a broader immigration deal that provides certainty for Dreamers and TPS recipients. Manufacturing an emergency where none exists at the expense of a sustainable immigration compromise does not make us safer and does not reflect the values of Americans.
“We urge the president to reconsider declaring a national emergency on the border. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have raised serious concerns about such a decision by the executive branch.
“Now that Congress has passed measures to enhance border security, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle must move forward and seize the opportunity to win over the center by advancing legislation that protects Dreamers and TPS recipients. Such a solution not only would allow more than 1 million immigrants to continue contributing to our country, but would unite, rather than divide, Americans.”