House Republicans recently released their plans for immigration reform.
During a GOP retreat in Maryland, House Speaker John Boehner took his caucus' temperature on his plans to pass a bill this year. In a conference call with reporters, U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, and U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Chicago, said they are optimistic immigration reform can pass in the House this year.
Diaz-Balart, who represents parts of Collier and Miami-Dade Counties, attended the GOP retreat, where immigration reform was a key topic.
The House Speaker's plan would tighten border security-- and give a sort of legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants currently in the US.
Diaz-Balart said there’s a minority in his party that refuse to take up this issue-- but there IS a considerable number of House members that could be persuaded, if certain policies are included in the bill.
“You have to make the policy so airtight on border and interior security that frankly people really believe that this is going to happen this time,” he said. “I think there are ways to do that. If we get there, I think a lot of the reluctance will melt away.”
Diaz-Balart said he thinks the House is very close to getting a bill that could bring more Republicans on board.
Gutierrez said that the GOP’s blueprint is an excellent starting point. He also says he’s encouraged that Democrats in the House have signaled they are willing to work with the GOP on immigration reform moving forward.
