Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Sarah Mamula
Talk Radio News Service

“We have reached the milestone,” said Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) on Thursday. At a press conference surrounded by immigrants and other representatives, Gutierrez announced that the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity (CIR ASAP) bill he introduced has surpassed 100 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives.

“The legislative clock is ticking,” stressed Gutierrez. “We know people are getting deported at the highest rate in modern history.”

Guttierez said the need for Congress to pass his plan is critical, especially with only one month to go before many provisions within the recently signed Arizona immigration law start to take effect. He called the Arizona law a call to action, and said a pragmatic solution must be found for what he referred to as a “broken system.” The Illinois Democrat added that he wants something passed before Congress recesses in August.

Gutierrez's bill would require illegal immigrants to register with the government, go through a background check, and learn English before becoming an American citizen.

With respect to a possible federal lawsuit against Arizona’s recent immigration law, Guitierrez said the legal action is not meant to fuel anger towards Arizona’s attempt at controlling its border, but rather to protect the constitutional rights that are entitled to everyone in the country. Guitierrez said the law is not a solution and could set a dangerous precedent if fully implemented in Arizona and other states.

“We simply cannot expect to get rid of a population about the size of Ohio, or their 4 million American citizen children,” said Gutierrez, referring to the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States.