Today, after the U.S. Senate voted 68 to 32 to pass a comprehensive immigration overhaul, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed issued the following statement:
"Today's bipartisan vote on comprehensive immigration reform is a historic and long-overdue step forward, but there is still a tremendous hurdle ahead in the House of Representatives.
"The Senate bill represents a vast improvement over the current dysfunctional immigration system and ensures everyone plays by the same rules. The bipartisan bill recognizes the need to strengthen border security and strike a balance between protecting jobs for Americans and helping us remain competitive in the global economy. It provides a tough but fair pathway to earned citizenship and boosts our ability to retain the bright and talented leaders of tomorrow.
"We are not at the finish line yet, but I will continue working with leaders in Congress to strengthen and improve the bill as it moves along the legislative process. Fixing our broken immigration system is an opportunity to strengthen both our economy and communities and we must seize it. The time for comprehensive immigration reform is now."
By Karen Lee Ziner