By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Thursday, the U.S. Senate voted by a margin of 68 to 32 to pass the controversial immigration reform bill S.744, the Border Security, Economic Competitiveness, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013.
Following passage, the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice praised the portions of the bill that overhaul the nation’s immigration system, which allow a greater flow of legal immigrants while providing a path to citizenship for millions of illegal aliens who are already living here (many who have been here for decades). The group however worries that heightened border security proposals added to the bill in the last week to attract Republican support may have gone too far.
The Chair of the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice Rev. Angie Wright said, “The Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice recognizes that today is a major step toward a roadmap to citizenship for millions of aspiring Americans living in this country. Many of our members are hopeful that this legislation will bring their families out of the shadows and allow them to continue contributing to Alabama’s economy and community.”
Chairman Wright however warned, “The massive build-up at the Southern border proposed in this bill will have serious ramifications for border communities and American taxpayers, and we will work vigorously to change these provisions before this bill becomes law. Even with an amendment that will mean unprecedented build-up at the border, Senators Sessions and Shelby of Alabama remained unwilling to support the reform package, standing in the way of millions of aspiring Americans getting on a path to citizenship.”
Rev. Wright said that the bill will generate more economic activity resulting in a decrease in the deficit by $175 billion over the next 10-year period. Conservatives like Sen. Jeff Sessions (R) from Alabama disagrees. Rev Wright wrote, “Making this bill law would be hugely beneficial for Alabama’s state and local economies. In a 20-year outlook, the CBO estimated that comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship would further decrease the federal deficit by an additional $700 billion by 2033.”
Chairman Wright said that the House of Representatives must realize that the American people are on the side of reform. ACIJ calls on Alabama’s Representatives to follow the lead of the Senators and pass a comprehensive bill that makes a pathway to citizenship for millions of illegal aliens a reality.
The Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice is a network of individuals and organizations which are united in their advocacy for Alabama’s immigrant community and is dedicated to ensuring the social, legal and civic rights of all immigrants in Alabama.
For more information about ACIJ visit their website:
www.acij.net
