This plan is as ambitious as it is righteous. I am heartened by the agency’s realization that it was wasting finite resources on harmless people. It does not, however, allow all DREAM Act students or noncriminal immigrants room to breathe a sigh of relief. The only way to truly fix our broken immigration system is with comprehensive immigration reform that is passed by both chambers of this Congress.
I urge my colleagues, especially those on the Judiciary Committee, to carefully review this plan from the DHS and use it as a starting place for a thoughtful conversation about immigration policy.
Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.) is chairman emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and chairs the caucus’ Immigration Task Force.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra and Rep. Joseph Crowley, vice chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, address a news conference immediately after the closed caucus meeting.
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