FAIR Applauds Speaker Boehner for Refusing to Conference on Senate Amnesty Bill

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Nov 13, 2013, 02:24 ET

Announcement Clears the Way for True Immigration Reform

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following statement was issued by Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), regarding Speaker John Boehner's announcement that he has "no intention of ever going to conference on the Senate [immigration] bill."

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"FAIR applauds Speaker Boehner for his definitive statement that the House of Representatives will not enter into conference negotiations on the disastrous Senate immigration bill, S.744. The Speaker's decision clears the way for the House to pursue targeted immigration bills designed to protect and enhance the interests of the American people.

"S.744 offers the American people nothing more than an opportunity to repeat the mistakes of the past: amnesty for the people who broke our laws, massive increases in new immigration, and worthless promises of future enforcement. As such, the Speaker has wisely rejected negotiations that would likely bring the same bad legislation back to the House.

"Speaker Boehner asserted that the goal of the House is to take up immigration legislation that 'their constituents understand.' No one understands the 1,300-page, lobbyist-written Senate bill.

"With S.744 off the table, both chambers and both parties have an opportunity to address those areas of immigration reform that Americans fully understand, and where consensus already exists. For example, there is universal agreement that we must secure our borders, prevent people from overstaying their visas, and implement a universal worker verification system that protects American jobs. There is no reason why Congress cannot make progress on these popular and necessary measures as we move into an election year.

"As the House moves forward with its piecemeal approach, it is also important that Leadership rejects amnesty and massive increases in immigration. These are bad policies that would do irreparable harm to the American people, whether they are passed as part of one huge bill, or broken up into several smaller bills.

FAIR stands ready to work with leaders in both chambers to advance the sort of reforms that will restore public confidence in our immigration laws and protect the interests of the American people."

About FAIR
Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group. With over 250,000 members nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced.

SOURCE FAIR