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Foster Calls For House To Act, Pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform

March 26, 2014

Washington, DC -- Today, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) continued his calls for the House of Representatives to pass comprehensive immigration reform, joining his colleagues in signing a discharge petition to force a vote on H.R. 15, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. Despite a national outcry from the business community, law enforcement and religious leaders, House Republicans have refused to bring any comprehensive immigration reform legislation up for a vote.

“It is time for congress to act,” said Foster. “People all across the 11th District have called for passage of a common sense immigration reform measure. Business leaders, religious leaders, law enforcement, and people from all walks of life agree that Congress must act. House Republicans cannot continue to ignore their calls for action. The time is now to pass comprehensive immigration reform which secures our borders, improves our legal immigration system, unites families, and provides a path to citizenship for the 11 million immigrants who are currently in limbo.”

Foster has long been an advocate for comprehensive immigration reform and is a co-sponsor of H.R. 15, a comprehensive immigration reform bill that would strengthen our borders, improve our legal immigration system and provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

H.R. 15 has been sponsored by 200 Members of Congress, including three Republicans.

Yesterday, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reported that H.R. 15 would reduce the deficit by $900 billion over 20 years.

Additionally, a study done by the Institute of Taxation and Economic Policy showed that immigration reform would increase state and local taxes in Illinois by almost $150 million a year.

A discharge petition is a mechanism to avoid leadership gridlock in Congress by requiring the House to consider the legislation once a majority of Members of Congress (218) have signed it.