Eshoo Holds Community Meeting on Comprehensive Immigration Reform

PALO ALTO, Calif.—Committed to bipartisan, comprehensive reform of the U.S. immigration system, Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18) held a community meeting today at the Campbell City Council Chambers to discuss the legislative proposals currently in Congress. Eshoo listened to and addressed comments, questions and concerns from constituents regarding the state of immigration in the U.S. and what can be done to address the deteriorating system.

"Our immigration system is failing us. It's failing millions of immigrants waiting to legally come to our shores. And it's failing millions of undocumented immigrants who already call the U.S. home," Rep. Eshoo said. "Great innovators and entrepreneurs are sidelined, contributing their talents and ideas to foreign countries instead of ours. Our economy is stifled, families are divided, and our borders are buckling. It's up to Congress to pass bipartisan, comprehensive legislation that will bring the U.S. immigration system into the 21st century."

Background

Rep. Eshoo supports comprehensive reform of the U.S. immigration system and believes legislation should include the following if the system is to succeed:

• A 21st century visa program to encourage innovation and ensure our country attracts the world's brightest minds for decades to come.
   
• A timely pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants who are American in every way except in the eyes of our immigration laws.
   
• Effectively and incrementally secure our borders and hold employers accountable for employing undocumented workers through an effective e-verify program.
   
• The elimination of decades-long backlogs for Green Cards, which keep families apart and create drag on our economy.

To learn more about the above goals for immigration legislation, please read Rep. Eshoo's recent e-newsletter titled, "Building a U.S. Immigration System for the 21st Century."

###