America’s history is rooted in the strength of immigrants.  New Yorkers have a special understanding of how America’s melting pot can create a rich tapestry of ethnic, cultural and religious traditions that infuse vitality into the economic and social aspects of our communities. Throughout her time in Congress, Congresswoman Maloney has made immigration issues a priority, and she strongly believes that by protecting the rights of workers, securing the border, and modernizing our pathway to legal immigration, the hope that we can fix a broken system will become a reality.  Congresswoman Maloney will continue to fight in Congress to provide a pathway to citizenship, keep families intact, create a level playing field, and improve the nation’s economy.

Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Congresswoman Maloney is a strong proponent for comprehensive immigration reform. That is why she was an original cosponsor of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. This comprehensive immigration reform bill was a bipartisan effort to address the deep rooted immigration problems in this country. The bill includes provisions to enhance border security, protect our workers, unite families, and offer hardworking immigrants an earned pathway to citizenship. It also reforms our visa programs and our interior enforcement. While the bill passed in the Senate, it was never brought to a vote on the House floor. Congresswoman Maloney continues to support this legislation and advocate in Congress to get it passed.

Providing a Pathway to Citizenship: Many immigrants came to America with their parents at a young age and have lived here as contributing members of society for many years. We often refer to these children as “Dreamers”. Congress should work to provide these young law abiding residents a path to citizenship. That is why in 2010 Congresswoman Maloney voted for the DREAM Act, intended to establish a path to citizenship for the Dreamers. In addition, she has cosponsored many pieces of legislation that would provide immigrants a pathway to citizenship upon high school graduation by going to college or joining the military. She continues to work in Congress to ensure these immigrants have access to education and equal opportunity.

Keeping Families Together: Many families are separated when immigrant parents are deported, separating them from their children who were often born in the United States and are therefore U.S. citizens. In an attempt to implement family-based immigration policies, Congresswoman Maloney cosponsored the Reuniting Families Act, which would increase the number of visas given to immediate family members of U.S. citizens.

Improving the Nation’s Economy: Immigrants have played an important role in the growth of the United States’ economy since the foundation of the country. Congresswoman Maloney is in favor of legislation that will allow immigrants to seek high level employment. She supports immigration reform that would require immigrants to register for legal status as part of a comprehensive approach to integrate more people into the economy as workers, taxpayers, and consumers.