Immigration compromise would unite torn-apart families

WASHINGTON -- As a comprehensive immigration overhaul stalls in the House, two border-state lawmakers introduced legislation Thursday that would tackle one aspect of the issue -- making it easier to unite American families split apart by past immigration law violations.

The effort from Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) and Rep. Steve Pearce (R-N.M.) could provide common ground among Democrats and Republicans, an opportunity to ease into a debate over what to do with one subset of the estimated 11 million people living in the United States without legal status.

The legislation is significant because while most Republican lawmakers have resisted providing a pathway to citizenship to those in this country illegally, some have indicated they could support legal status for certain groups of immigrants snared by problems with the existing laws. The legislation would allow immigration officials to use discretion when granting waivers for those applying to be in the country with their American spouses, children and other family members.

Over the last five years, tens of thousands of immigrants who would otherwise qualify for legal status have been denied because of what O’Rourke called “minor” immigration law violations in their past. Some were brought to the country illegally as minors and never left, for example; others made false statements on entering the country. Many are deported or must return to their country for several years to apply for re-entry. “I have long said that we should never split up families, and today’s proposed law allows the careful and sensible evaluation of cases where American families have been wrongly separated, but still makes sure that our immigration laws are upheld,” Pearce said.

FWIW: PEARCE, O'ROURKE INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN IMMIGRATION BILL "Washington, DC (October 31, 2013)‎– Today, U.S. Representatives Steve Pearce (R-NM-02) and Beto O’Rourke (D-TX-16) announced the introduction of H.R. 3431, the American Families United Act. This bipartisan immigration bill would grant discretionary authority to review specific cases for a small number of Americans who are separated from their families due to minor earlier violations which are technical in nature or occurred when the family member was a minor. Such review was permissible until 1996, when the current regulations were put in place. Both O’Rourke and Pearce have handled federal casework for constituents whose families have been needlessly separated. The American Families United Act would allow a judge or the Secretary of Homeland Security to review these cases and determine whether relief is in the public interest, an option not currently available. The legislation would prohibit this review for individuals without a legal basis to live in the U.S., or those with a serious criminal record. “I am proud to work across party lines to allow justice for wrongfully separated families with my good friend Congressman O’Rourke,” said Pearce. “I have long said that we should never split up families, and today’s proposed law allows the careful and sensible evaluation of cases where American families have been wrongly separated, but still makes sure that our immigration laws are upheld. Immigration is an important issue that is central to the future of our country. I am hopeful that the small step we take today will be the start of further cooperation between our two parties in Washington, and that we can tackle greater challenges of immigration reform together in the near future.” “This is an issue of fairness and standing up for U.S. citizen families,” said O’Rourke. “I have heard countless heartbreaking stories of families in my district forced to live apart because of arbitrary laws with punishments that do not fit the actions and serve no public interest. This targeted legislation would provide necessary discretion to judges and the Department of Homeland Security to provide relief to families who could live legally in the U.S. except that they committed a minor immigration violation in the past. It is commonsense and it is the right thing to do. I am happy to work with Congressman Pearce to show that there is a bipartisan way forward to fix our immigration system.” Edgar Falcon of El Paso, Texas was recently married literally on the U.S.-Mexico border because his wife is barred from the U.S. for life due to an older sister's explanation when she was sixteen. Falcon said: “I want to thank Congressman Pearce, who has shown real courage in supporting this bipartisan bill, and especially my Congressman, Beto O’Rourke, who promised when he came to my wedding on the Paso del Norte International Bridge that he would introduce this bill and work tirelessly to get it enacted into law. For American families like mine, with my beloved wife Maricruz in exile, this is encouraging. Congress is not all partisan bickering. They can solve America’s problems, and this is how to solve one of them.” http://pearce.house.gov/press-release/pearce-orourke-introduce-bipartisan-immigration-bill Pearce has been a strong conservative on most every issue. This bill has me puzzled. Perhaps he has been coerced onto the Rubio train by the RINO establishment.

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