Amodei on immigration: ‘Continuing to do nothing is inexcusable’

U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., is hoping that with a new administration entering the White House, there will also be new opportunity to reform one of America’s hot button topics: immigration.

Amodei hosted a town hall meeting Tuesday morning on immigration reform and the anxiety surrounding the fear of mass deportation. A group of people ranging in ages and backgrounds gathered to hear Amodei's stance on immigration and to voice their concerns. During the 2016 election, President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on promises to build a wall along the border between the United States and Mexico as well as deport undocumented immigrants. During the presidential campaign, Amodei was the Republican's Nevada state chairman.

“They’ve talked a lot about immigration and not always in ways that make people comfortable,” Amodei said of the incoming Trump administration. “But if you’re going to put immigration on the table, well, we’re coming to dinner.”

Amodei said the current problem is that politics is “agenda focused and not issue focused” on immigration. He said he will be working to “resurrect” the bipartisan working group’s immigration reform package as a “good start” for earning legal status.

The package includes a way for people to earn legal status. Amodei said people who entered without interview or who have overstayed visas can apply to the program where people could earn a legal status card after a background check is completed that would last five years. At the end of five years, participants could renew, and at the end of another five years, become a legal permanent resident. Amodei said if there are “major criminal issues” there is a risk of deportation.

“If you say you want to be a citizen, then you can go ahead and start that process. It’s an opportunity to earn status,” Amodei said. “If you’ve earned and paid for your mistake of sneaking in or staying after your visa is up, what do we care? In some criminal sentences, that’s longer than a felony.”

Amodei took written, anonymous questions from the crowd with concerns about mass deportations, citizenship, entry without interview, overstayed visas, Dreamers and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) – all of which he said would be fixed with immigration reform.

“If there’s political blood on the floor, that’s fine. But if nothing happens?” Amodei asked on the immigration reform process in Congress. “Continuing to do nothing is inexcusable.”

“Anybody that thinks they’re going to get it all their way, I say good luck with that,” he said. “There’re too many cooks in the kitchen, and we’re not using one recipe, nor should we. This is our opportunity to get (immigration reform) moving.”


For some, Amodei’s actions come a little too late, but for others, they were intrigued by Amodei's idea of future immigration reform.

“I’ve been hearing all of this for many years. It’s nice talking, but we want action,” Director of Immigration Reform for Nevada Elvira Diaz said. “I want him to actually introduce the bill and to go and talk to Congress.”

Benjamin Adler volunteers and teaches basic English foundations to local Syrian refugees. He said he was surprised by Amodei’s moderate views and that it was “encouraging to see (Amodei) as rounded in either reality or practicality.”

“I think he did look at his constituency and who he’s actually representing. He can’t rail against immigrants,” Adler said.

Paul Lenart, a volunteer in the area, said for all of his “progressive friends to keep an ear open.”

“If there is legislation introduced, we’ll have to look at it,” Lenart said. “One way or the other, whatever benefits the immigrant community, I’m on board.”

Amodei said he is looking to propose the bill within the first six months of the Trump administration.

"I want to send the message of we're voting," he said about Congress. "We need to go forward."

Amodei said he is looking to host another town hall in March or April to discuss immigration.


Keep an eye out for this in the House of Representatives,

Link: http://www.rgj.com/story/news/politi...able/95676388/

Good article. This is the type of GOP representative Trump needs to listen to. He has a lot of good points and have indicated he's ready to play. Proposing a bill within the six months of a Trump admin.. I really hope you do Mr Amodei.