Congressman Adam Smith released the following statement after the bipartisan group of senators introduced their immigration reform proposal:
 
“Immigration reform is long overdue, and this bill is a first step toward comprehensively addressing our broken immigration system.  Under this legislation, the legal immigration system would be overhauled, our nation’s border security would be enhanced, and the 11 million undocumented immigrants and their families would gain a path to citizenship.
 
“We have to make it easier and simpler for individuals who support and grow our economy to come and remain here legally.  Legal immigration is not an obstacle to growth, but rather supplements our economic competitiveness and American jobs by attracting needed workers, high-skilled entrepreneurs, and investors.  We also must ensure that we keep families together.
 
“This bill is not perfect, and as it advances through the legislative process,  I will  continue to work to ensure that our immigration system will allow families to stay together, businesses to thrive, and our nation to be secure.”
 

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