Democrats' Misguided Amnesty Effort

Democrats’ Misguided Amnesty Effort | Congressman Lance Gooden (R-TX)

The Democrat majority in the U.S. House put forward a bill this week to provide amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants living in our country. The legislation included provisions to give green cards to a group of immigrants that go far beyond the already problematic Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. If passed into law, it would also provide undue opportunities to anyone eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), even some who are no longer living in America. Additional loopholes in the bill would shockingly allow dangerous criminals and gang members to remain in the country. This legislation places the interests of lawbreakers above the interests of the many who have waited in line to enter this country legally.

One of my top priorities while in office has been to halt illegal immigration. The unfair and dangerous proposals of the American Dream and Promise Act would cost taxpayers over $30 billion, money that could be used to fund a border wall and other needed security measures.

While Republicans have been open to compromise on a solution for immigrant children, often referred to as “dreamers”, we were completely shut out of this process. Our efforts to find a version of this bill that could work for both parties were blocked from the beginning. The result is a partisan bill that will never have a chance to become law. Democrats chose to reward illegal immigrants for breaking the law while continuing to ignore the crisis at the border. I remain confident in my NO vote and urge my colleagues across the aisle to join Republicans as we work for meaningful border security and immigration reform.