10.30.19

Durbin, Judiciary Dems Call On Cornyn To Hold Hearing On Green-Card Backlog Legislation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, along with Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Kamala Harris (D-CA) today called on Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, to hold a hearing on legislation to address green-card backlogs.

“One of the most serious problems in our immigration system is that prospective immigrants are stuck in green-card backlogs for many years.  These backlogs harm our economy and are a hardship on families who are caught in immigration limbo,” the Senators wrote in a letter to Chairman Cornyn.

President Trump has led a cruel campaign against immigrants, especially families and children, while his ineffective policies have made our southern border much less secure than when he took office.  However, with Republicans in the majority, the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee has laid dormant.  So far this year, the Subcommittee has held only one hearing and the Senate Judiciary Committee has voted on only one immigration bill.  The Chairman limited debate to only one hour and did not allow a single amendment to be offered.

Specifically, the Senators requested that the Subcommittee hold a hearing to receive testimony from experts and impacted communities on relevant pending legislation, including, S. 386, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act; S. 2091, the Backlog Elimination, Legal Immigration, and Employment Visa Enhancement (BELIEVE) Act; and S. 2603, the Resolving Extended Limbo for Immigrant Employees and Families (RELIEF) Act. 

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

October 30, 2019

Dear Chairman Cornyn:

We respectfully request that the Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration hold a hearing on legislation to address green-card backlogs.

One of the most serious problems in our immigration system is that prospective immigrants are stuck in green-card backlogs for many years.  These backlogs harm our economy and are a hardship on families who are caught in immigration limbo.

A hearing before the Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration to receive testimony from experts and impacted communities will help the Senate advance bipartisan legislation that meaningfully and thoughtfully addresses green-card backlogs. We therefore request that the Subcommittee hold a hearing on relevant pending legislation, including, S. 386, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act; S. 2091, the Backlog Elimination, Legal Immigration, and Employment Visa Enhancement (BELIEVE) Act; and S. 2603, the Resolving Extended Limbo for Immigrant Employees and Families (RELIEF) Act. 

Thank you for your time and consideration.  We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

cc: The Honorable Lindsey Graham, Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee

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