Salazar Joins Dem Colleague To Pitch Legislation
On Wednesday, U.S. Representative Maria Salazar (R-FL) and her Democratic colleague, Representative Hillary Scholten (D-MI), appeared on Fox News to discuss a proposed immigration deal that would grant amnesty to millions of illegal aliens.
The proposed deal comes as the country struggles to address the record number of illegal border crossings in 2022 and 2023. While House Republicans have demanded tougher border security measures in exchange for aid packages, such as military aid to Ukraine, a number of Republican senators have been pushing for an amnesty deal.
The leaked draft version of the bill, obtained by the conservative Immigration Accountability Project, shows that the proposed legislation would increase the number of green cards handed out annually to 50,000, limit deportations to only 5,000 over a period of seven days, and grant tens of thousands of work permits. However, Senator James Lankford (R-OK), the lead Republican negotiator on the bill, has denied the validity of the leaked report.
Despite the denial, Rep. Salazar appeared to endorse the idea of amnesty, while standing next to Rep. Scholten on Wednesday. Salazar and Scholten both expressed their support for the proposed deal, which includes $25 billion for border security, an end to catch and release policies, expedited asylum processing, mandatory E-Verify, and tens of thousands of H-2A visas.
Want Texas to go blue?
How about North Carolina?
Dark blue Nevada, Arizona, and Georgia?
Blue Florida?Then support Maria Salazar’s bill
pic.twitter.com/ho9aEgWRu6— Ryan James Girdusky (@RyanGirdusky) January 18, 2024
According to Rep. Salazar, this bill is the only bipartisan solution to the country's immigration issues. She stressed the importance of securing the border and then providing a path to "dignity" for those who have been living in the U.S. for more than five years and contributing to the economy. Scholten also emphasized the bipartisan nature of the bill, stating that it has garnered support from both parties. The bill, she clarified, is not the same as the one passed by Republicans late last year.
Salazar and Scholten both argued that the bill is not about providing amnesty, but about providing "dignity" to those living in the U.S. illegally. They believe that this legislation is a national security and economic bill, rather than an immigration reform bill. The bill, they argued, would give businesses the workers they need and provide much-needed support to the economy.
The proposed deal has sparked debate among lawmakers, with some arguing that it rewards illegal behavior and others arguing that it is a necessary step toward addressing the immigration crisis in the country. However, the fact that it has gained bipartisan support is seen as a promising sign of its potential success in Congress.
Republican Rep. Maria Salazar is on Fox with Democrat Rep. Hillary Scholton calling for legalization for illegal aliens who has been in the country for more than 5 years:
"The business sector is saying we need hands. Those hands are here. We just need to legalize them. I'm not… pic.twitter.com/ndS2PGlBt6
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 17, 2024
The immigration issue has been a contentious one in Congress for years, with no significant progress made in finding a solution. The proposed deal, if passed, would be a significant step towards addressing the issue and providing relief to the millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. While there are concerns about the details of the bill, the fact that it has gained support from both parties is seen as a positive development.
The proposed deal also highlights the importance of finding a middle ground in addressing the immigration crisis. It is evident that there are strong opinions on both sides, but in order to make meaningful progress, compromise is necessary. This bipartisan bill may be a sign that lawmakers are willing to put aside their differences and work together to find a solution that benefits both the country and the millions of undocumented immigrants living within its borders.
As negotiations continue, it is clear that there is still a long road ahead in finding a comprehensive solution to the country's immigration issues. However, the proposed deal is a promising development and could potentially pave the way for future bipartisan cooperation on this pressing issue. As the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of the pandemic, it is more important than ever to address the issue of immigration and work towards finding a fair and just solution for all involved.