[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 101 (Thursday, June 26, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1078-E1079]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN SUPPORT OF COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2014

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, efforts to reform our immigration system in 
the House have been blocked. It's been a year since our counterparts in 
the Senate passed bipartisan, comprehensive legislation, but the House 
Republican leadership has rejected the Senate bill without any attempt 
to shape a House response.
   Meanwhile, 11 million undocumented immigrants who pay taxes and 
defend our country continue to be deported; potentially 135,000 
immigrants a year may be wrongfully detained and exploited according to 
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement contracts with detention 
centers; and countless others frequently endure harassment and abuse in 
the workplace because they are not legally recognized.
   When did we veer so dangerously far off course? America has always 
been a nation of immigrants. From the first settlers, to the Great 
Wave, to the fight for legalization today, we're all either immigrants 
ourselves or direct descendants of them.
   In fact, twenty-six percent of residents in my congressional 
district were born in a foreign country, compared to 13 percent 
nationwide.
   As a first-generation American, I know the human side of this issue. 
My father traveled thousands of miles to this land, huddled by his 
mother's side, fleeing the religious persecution of Christians. He 
studied, learned, worked and excelled. He married, loved and raised his 
three children. He flew the American flag in front of his home every 
day, sang the praises of our country, and said prayers of thanksgiving 
daily for the blessings of America.
   The opportunity my family was given in America is always with me, 
and I'm committed to seeing that everyone has a share in that same 
opportunity.
   As a policymaker, I recognize that comprehensive immigration reform 
will also provide immense economic benefits to our country.

[[Page E1079]]

   It's estimated that the Senate-passed comprehensive immigration 
reform bill could reduce the deficit by more than $800 billion in the 
next 20 years, according to a nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office 
analysis.
   It's also estimated that wages would ultimately rise and our GDP 
would increase by over three percent in the next decade. In my 
congressional district, we would stand to gain over 17,000 jobs by 
2023, according to an American Action Network analysis.
   We're already making progress. The Obama Administration's Deferred 
Action for Childhood Arrivals is allowing hundreds of thousands of 
young undocumented immigrants who were brought by their parents to the 
United States as small children, to gain temporary legal status, 
including work authorization and protection from deportation. This is 
the only country these young people know and to which they have pledged 
their allegiance. They deserve to be recognized.
   The economic case is clear. Human lives are at stake. The founding 
principles of our country are on trial. Now is the time to act on 
comprehensive reform.

                          ____________________