John Boehner has acknowledged that the Republican House of Representatives will not hold a vote on the bipartisan Senate immigration bill. Responsibility for the historic failure to enact comprehensive immigration reform lies squarely, completely and embarrassingly at the feet of the Republican leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives.
The President is right to bypass House Republicans and meet the enormity of this moment. The administration has unquestionable legal authority to provide all those who would qualify for citizenship under the bipartisan Senate Bill affirmative status with work authorization while making immigration enforcement more just, as laid out in our policy statement. [ http://www.aflcio.org/Issues/Immigration/AFL-CIO-Recommendations-on-Administrative-Action-on-Immigration ] The administration should act boldly and without further delay.
Contact: Jeff Hauser (202) 637-5018