Some Valley Elected Leaders Praise Immigration Bill

Reported by City News Service:

Legislators with ties to the Coachella Valley hailed this week's U.S. Senate approval of an immigration reform bill aimed at giving millions of people a path to citizenship, though the legislation may die in the House of Representatives.

The bill crafted by a bipartisan group of senators known as the "Gang of Eight" was passed Thursday on a 68-32 vote. Those voting in favor of the bill included 14 Republicans.

"California will benefit from this bill when 2.8 million hard-working immigrants ... are able to come out of the shadows and fully contribute to the state and the country they love. This bill will create 25,000 new jobs in California each year as these workers open bank accounts, buy homes, start businesses and enhance our communities," said Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who has a home in Rancho Mirage.

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, has said the Republican-controlled House was unlikely to even consider the legislation.

But Democratic House members called for action.

"Our immigration system is broken. We need comprehensive, common sense reform that secures our borders, includes a dignified, earned pathway to citizenship, improves our economy, and protects our local agriculture industry," said Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Palm Desert. "The passage of the bipartisan Senate immigration bill today is a starting point and a step in the right direction, and it's time now for the House to put partisan politics aside once and for all and take action."