FAIR Applauds Senators Rubio and Sessions for Demanding Hearings on Immigration Bill

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Apr 01, 2013, 02:19 ET

WASHINGTON, April 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following statement was issued by Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), in response to calls from Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) that Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) hold hearings on any immigration legislation introduced in the Senate:

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"The Federation for American Immigration Reform strongly supports the efforts of Senators Rubio and Sessions to ensure that any immigration legislation brought to a vote in the Senate is given a full and thorough hearing by the Judiciary Committee. The immigration legislation being proposed would have a profound impact on American workers, taxpayers, and our national security. Rushing it through the Senate would be an act of supreme irresponsibility.

"Sen. Leahy's contention that hearings held on similar legislation in 2006 and 2007 provide sufficient examination of issues of vital national importance is nothing more than an effort to avoid public scrutiny of a bill that is likely to be highly unpopular with the American public. Our nation's economic, fiscal, and employment picture are much worse in 2013 than they were back then, and Congress has an obligation to consider legislation in light of current circumstances.

"Most importantly, 44 current Senators were not serving in the Senate the last time an immigration bill of this magnitude came before that body. These Senators, on behalf of the people they represent, have a right and a responsibility to seek answers to critical questions before they are asked to vote on a landmark piece of legislation.

"We applaud Senators Rubio and Sessions for their insistence that normal legislative procedures are followed in order to ensure that the American public has an opportunity to learn what is in any immigration reform bill that comes before the Senate, and to make their voices heard."

The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) is a national, nonprofit, public-interest, membership organization of concerned citizens who share a common belief that our nation's immigration policies must be reformed to serve the national interest.

Visit FAIR's website at www.fairus.org.

SOURCE FAIR