America deserves an immigration system that reflects both our values and our interests—securing our borders while continuing our proud tradition as a nation that welcomes those who come to contribute to our shared prosperity.
We cannot abandon our distinct role as a nation of immigrants and the vibrant melting pot of the world. That’s my personal story, as someone descended from Catholic and Jewish refugees fleeing persecution in Ireland and Central Europe. And as a lawyer who has worked on groundbreaking political asylum cases, I am deeply familiar with complexities and weaknesses of existing law.
There is near-universal agreement in this country that we need comprehensive immigration reform. Obviously, what we have isn’t working. I strongly support serious efforts toward comprehensive, bipartisan, and humane immigration reform that pairs an orderly and clear pathway to citizenship for longtime immigrants with increased support for immigration judges, changes to asylum law, and smarter border enforcement.
Congressional Republicans, led by President Trump, have undermined and sabotaged every attempt at actual immigration reform in the interests of continuing to leverage fears about immigration as a political wedge issue. Democrats need to call that out, and hold them accountable.
I categorically reject MAGA efforts to demonize and dehumanize non-citizens who are living in the United States peacefully and contributing to our society. The Administration’s current attempts to strip Due Process rights away from immigrants is a threat to our country that, if unchecked, will lead to rampant authoritarianism and the illegal persecution of U.S. citizens. We cannot stand idly by while the Administration violates the U.S. Constitution.
