06.27.13

Cantwell Applauds Senate Passage of Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill

Cantwell: ‘Our nation is one step closer to comprehensive immigration reform’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement after the U.S. Senate cast a bipartisan vote to pass the comprehensive Border Security Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act. Cantwell voted in favor of the bill, which now moves to the House for consideration.

“Washington families and businesses have waited too long for Congress to clean up our broken immigration system,” said Cantwell. “The bipartisan legislation passed by the Senate today strengthens our borders and puts in place a realistic pathway to legal status for the approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants already in America. This bill also supports our state’s agriculture and high-tech industries, and STEM education.

“This bill will help bring families together by reducing the backlog of immigration cases. Children brought to this country illegally as minors can now work to achieve the American Dream by serving in the military or continuing their education.

“I was proud to join my Senate colleagues in this historic bipartisan vote. Today, our nation is one step closer to comprehensive immigration reform.”

# # #