Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez held a rally yesterday on the Capitol's West Lawn where he outlined his proposals for immigration reform legislation he proposes to introduce "probably sometime right after Thanksgiving." Representative Jan Schakowsky said she expects the Gutierrez bill will include both a pathway to citizenship for workers already here illegally, along with tougher enforcement measures and border security controls. Gutierrez said he expects his bill will require illegal immigrants applying for citizenship to submit to criminal background checks and also to take English proficiency classes. He said he believes his bill is needed to keep families together.
House Judiciary Committee ranking member Lamar Smith immediately spoke out in opposition to the Gutierrez outline. "Allowing millions of illegal immigrants to stay and take jobs away from citizens is like giving a burglar a key to the house," he said.
House Judiciary Committee ranking member Lamar Smith immediately spoke out in opposition to the Gutierrez outline. "Allowing millions of illegal immigrants to stay and take jobs away from citizens is like giving a burglar a key to the house," he said.
