U.S. Rep. Bob Dold (R-IL) called for immigration reform on Wednesday during a forum hosted by the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition (IBIC) and FWD.us in Chicago.
Dold was joined by U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL), Illinois State Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno and others to discuss the best approach for sensible immigration reform that keeps families together and secures the border.
“Reforming our broken immigration system is a deeply personal issue for families all across the Chicago area,” Dold said. “Last year, I had the honor of bringing a Round Lake DREAMer named Erika Martinez to the State of the Union Address. Every day that Congress fails to act on immigration reform, families like Erika’s are forced to continue living in fear of being torn apart.”
During the forum, Dold called on Congress to support the STARTUP Act, H.R. 962, legislation he introduced to encourage the world’s brightest people to create jobs in the United States. The bill would establish a new visa program for foreign graduates of American universities with Master’s or Ph.D. degrees in STEM fields.
“Although divisive, partisan rhetoric may make for better TV, today’s forum is proof that there is bipartisan support to move immigration reform forward,” Dold said. “I am committed to working with lawmakers in both parties who are willing to put partisanship aside in favor of the challenging problem solving that is needed to fix our immigration system and move our country forward.”
Dold also opposed amendments that would have blocked Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and cosponsored the bipartisan ENLIST Act, H.R. 1989, which would allow immigrant children to earn legal status by serving in the armed forces.
“I am proud to stand with Congressman Bob Dold, and the many local community leaders from Illinois who are here today, said Diaz-Balart who was invited to Chicago for the panel by Dold. “He has been a national leader on this issue from the very beginning, and he understands how critical immigration reform is to our country and our economy.”
“The American dream unlocks human potential faster and better than any other,” Kirk said. “I am committed to working across the aisle to reform our immigration policies and unlock the full potential of the men and women in our state who will build businesses and boost the Illinois economy.”