Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition
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MIRA Commends Passage of Immigration Bill in House Judiciary Subcommittee

Source: MIRA
Author: MIRA
Date: Aug 1, 2008
8/ 1/2008 3:20 pm - Washington, D.C. -The United States House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law today passed H.R. 5882 by a vote of 8 to 1. Co-sponsored by Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), the legislation would reclaim old and unused visas from previous fiscal years and place them into the pool of usable visas. In addition, the legislation would create a “roll-over ” mechanism that would ensure that unused visas in subsequent fiscal years would not be lost. The resolution will now await a vote by the full House Judiciary Committee before it goes to the floor of the House of Representatives. The following is a statement by Eva A. Millona, Acting Executive Director of the MIRA Coalition:

PRESS STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 1, 2008

Contact:

Eva A. Millona, MIRA Acting Executive Director: (617) 350-5480 ext 211; cell # 508-615-7684

Shuya Ohno, MIRA Director of Communications: (617) 821-8990

MIRA Commends Passage of Immigration Bill in House Judiciary Subcommittee

Washington, D.C. -The United States House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law today passed H.R. 5882 by a vote of 8 to 1. Co-sponsored by Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), the legislation would reclaim old and unused visas from previous fiscal years and place them into the pool of usable visas. In addition, the legislation would create a "roll-over " mechanism that would ensure that unused visas in subsequent fiscal years would not be lost. The resolution will now await a vote by the full House Judiciary Committee before it goes to the floor of the House of Representatives. The following is a statement by Eva A. Millona, Acting Executive Director of the MIRA Coalition:

"This marks an important first step for Congress to aid immigrant and American families across our Nation who are separated, not only by great distances, but also by tremendous bureaucratic hurdles. This vote gives hope for immigrant families waiting to be reunited with loved ones. The passage of this bill in the Sub-Committee is encouraging for supporters in the immigrant community and in Congress who have been striving to help keep families together."

"The MIRA Coalition commends the members of Congress who attended the markup and voted for the legislation, recognizing the urgent needs of our families. The MIRA Coalition is especially grateful to MA Congressman William D. Delahunt for his continued commitment to and support for immigrant and refugee families across our Commonwealth."

"Given the heated and often toxic rhetoric surrounding immigration in Congress, the passage of the bill in the Subcommittee is an encouraging sign that many Representatives are still committed to finding practical legislative solutions to address a federal immigration system that desperately needs an overhaul."

Subcommittee members who voted Yes for H.R. 5882:

Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)

Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL)

Representative Howard Berman (D-CA)

Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA)

Representative Bill Delahunt (D-MA)

Representative Linda Sanchez (D-CA)

Representative Keith Ellison (D-MN)

Representative Anthony Weiner (D-NY)

Subcommittee members who voted No for H.R. 5882:

Representative Steve King (R-IA)

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MIRA works to advocate for the rights and opportunities of immigrants and refugees. In partnership with its members, MIRA advances this mission through education, training, leadership development, organizing, policy analysis and advocacy.
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