LIRS Welcomes Action on Immigration Reform

WASHINGTON, March 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) welcomes efforts in the House of Representatives to advance comprehensive immigration reform legislation in the form of H.R. 15. LIRS has consistently called on members of Congress to pass fair immigration reform.

The filing of a discharge petition on H.R. 15 brings us one step closer to that goal. Many of H.R. 15's proposed changes to the U.S. immigration system would benefit migrants and refugees and fall in line with LIRS's five principles for reform. These reforms are reflective of American values of justice and serve to welcome newcomers.

"The time for inaction on compassionate immigration reform in the House of Representatives has passed. H.R. 15 offers an opportunity for America to advance towards a more welcoming set of immigration laws," said LIRS President and CEO Linda Hartke. "The bill makes strides to unite families, welcome people fleeing persecution, and provide newcomers with a fair and accessible roadmap to citizenship. We encourage the House to enact these reforms."

H.R. 15 would also benefit new Americans through substantial changes to legal immigration processes, protections for refugees and asylum seekers, and improvements to the enforcement of immigration laws. LIRS applauds that H.R. 15 is a thoroughly bi-partisan effort. Heavily drawn from the Senate's immigration reform bill S.744, which passed with bipartisan support in June, H.R. 15 also includes parts of a border security bill that received bipartisan support in the House.

LIRS will continue to work towards passage of comprehensive immigration reform that is humane and fulfills LIRS's principles for reform:

• Path to Citizenship
• Humane Enforcement
• Family Unity
• Protection for Vulnerable Migrants
• Protection for Workers

For the up-to-date information on the legislative process on Capitol Hill, see the LIRS blog series "Immigration Reform 2013: The Update."

LIRS is nationally recognized for advocating for and with refugees, asylum seekers, unaccompanied children, immigrants in detention, families fractured by migration and other vulnerable populations, and for serving migrants through 60 grassroots legal and social service partners across the United States. Celebrating 75 years of service and advocacy this year, LIRS has helped more than 500,000 migrants and refugees rebuild their lives in America.

Press Contact: Tara Mulder
[email protected], 410-230-2756

SOURCE Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service

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