WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement Thursday on President Obama’s executive actions on immigration.
"Immigration is one of the most pressing issues we face. The work I did last year alongside Democrats and Republicans in the Senate produced a bipartisan bill that offered a clear path that would improve border security, grow our economy, keep families together, and address our humanitarian values. Although it passed the Senate with strong bipartisan support, House Republicans have refused to allow a vote or offer a comparable alternative for nearly 18 months.
“America’s immigration system has been broken for too long. President Obama’s executive actions will address some of our system’s problems and start to move us in the right direction by focusing law enforcement resources on deporting dangerous criminals rather than on breaking up loving families. They will protect American workers by moving us away from a status quo where undocumented men and women accept substandard pay and worker protections. Crucially, in a time of scarce resources, the President’s actions will ensure taxpayer dollars are spent where they can be most effective, including on enhancements to border security.
“We cannot continue to wait for House Republicans to act while some of our most pressing challenges go unmet. Although I wish it were not necessary, the President is acting within his legal authority. It is my hope that in the new Congress, House Republicans will come to the table to finish this crucial work.”
