Speech #1130124481

I think we will get it through honorably. In response to this crisis I worked with my friends Senators KLOBUCHAR. RuBiO. and COONS to introduce the bipartisan immigration innovation or the ISquared Act. Our bill provides a thoughtful. lasting legislative framework that would increase the number of HlB visas. based on annual market demand. to attract the highly skilled workers and innovators our economy so desperately needs. Unilateralism is not the way forward on immigration. If the President is serious about enacting meaningful immigration reform. he can choose to take the first essential step. Even in the current partisan climate there is a widespread consensus and real opportunity for bipartisan. bicameral reform for our outdated visa system for economically essential highskilled immigrants. The concrete legislative victory where there is already considerable consensus would help build trust and good will among those who disagree sharply over other areas of immigration policy and would mark a critical first step along the path to broader reform. For the life of me I cannot understand why the President doesnt accept this hand we are extending to him. knowing that we educate these people. get them their college degrees. their masters degrees. their doctoral degrees. their Ph.D.s. and then we push them out of the country when they want to stay and help us in the continually evolving and impressive hightech world. It is mindboggling to me that we do this.