Mr. Speaker. the House of Representatives has had 4 years to bring an immigration billany immigration billto a vote and yet has failed to do so. Oregon businesses. labor. farmers. farmworkers. faithbased groups. and human rights advocates have all patiently waited for comprehensive immigration reform. So have millions of Americans and people all across this Nation as they wait for their legal status to catch up with the realities of their lives as good and productive members of our society. Without comprehensive reforms. Oregon businesses are in peril and Oregon families live in constant fear. Many of us in the House have offered a bipartisan bill similar to the Senates with better border enforcement provisions. but hardline. rightwing extreme provisions have hamstrung any action on these bills. As a result of the intolerable congressional inaction. the President has issued executive orders to protect folks who have immigrated to this country and been productive members of society and the economy. This executive action merely prioritizes deportations for individuals who harm or pose a threat to our society. My hope had been that this action would spur comprehensive immigration reform. Instead. House Republicans now play games with the Department of Homeland Securitys appropriations and put us all at risk.
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deportations border enforcement immigration immigrated