AILA and the American Immigration Council Respond to a Bipartisan Framework of Immigration Reform Compromises
Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) have reached an agreement on a draft Border and DREAM Act Deal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, December 5, 2022
Washington, DC - In response to news of a new bipartisan framework of immigration reform compromises from Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the American Immigration Council issued the following statement:
Benjamin Johnson, Executive Director of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said, “AILA welcomes the news of bipartisan talks to help Dreamers. We urge both sides to continue this push to protect Dreamers and others who are at risk, but Congress should not sacrifice protections for vulnerable asylum seekers by throwing roadblocks in the way of those in need of humanitarian protection. This will require more compromise and courage; this proposal is an important first step and Congress now has a real opportunity to begin the critical work of fixing the nation’s immigration system.
Jeremy Robbins, Executive Director of the American Immigration Council, commented, “The majority of Americans, Republicans and Democrats alike, believe that undocumented youth deserve a path to remain in the United States permanently. It’s long past time for Congress to act, which is why we welcome news of ongoing bipartisan negotiations on immigration and encourage lawmakers to keep working on a solution for Dreamers. At the same time, we are concerned with measures that would weaken the United States’ asylum system and stop vulnerable migrants from seeking asylum. We urge negotiators to reach a deal which protects people who have been living here nearly all their lives, while also respecting the fundamental right to protection, which is enshrined in our laws and history.”
For more information, contact:
George Tzamaras from AILA at gtzamaras@aila.org, 202-507-7649 or Brianna Dimas at the American Immigration Council, at bdimas@immcouncil.org, 210-639-5587.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is the national association of more than 16,000 attorneys, paralegals, law professors, and law students who practice and teach immigration law. AILA member attorneys represent U.S. families seeking permanent residence for close family members, U.S. businesses seeking talent from the global marketplace, as well as foreign students, entertainers, athletes, and asylum seekers. Founded in 1946, AILA is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that provides continuing legal education, information, professional services, and expertise through its 39 chapters and over 50 national committees.
The American Immigration Council is a powerful voice in promoting laws, policies, and attitudes that honor America’s proud history as a nation of immigrants. Through research and policy analysis, litigation and international exchange, the Council seeks to shape a twenty-first century vision of the American immigrant experience. In January 2022, the Council and New American Economy merged to combine a broad suite of advocacy tools to better expand and protect the rights of immigrants, more fully ensure immigrants’ ability to succeed economically, and help make the communities they settle in more welcoming. Follow the latest Council news and information on ImmigrationImpact.com and Twitter @immcouncil.