Washington – Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) sent letters today to each of California’s 53 House members urging their support for passing S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform legislation that passed the Senate in June.

In the letter, Senators Feinstein and Boxer insisted that passing the comprehensive reform bill would fix the nation’s broken immigration system and is “the right thing for California.”

“Our state has the most at stake in any immigration reform debate. We are home to nearly a quarter of the nation’s undocumented immigrant population – more than any other state,” the Senators wrote in the letter. “Our constituents and our communities are ready and waiting for reform.”

The Senators pointed out that passing comprehensive immigration reform would add more than 18,000 jobs annually in California alone and as much as $8 billion into California’s economy each year. Additionally, the Congressional Budget Office cost estimate of S. 744 found that the legislation would reduce the federal budget deficit by $158 billion over the next 10 years, and $685 billion in the following decade.

“The economic case for passing S. 744 right now could not be clearer,” the Senators wrote. “Beyond that, we feel a moral imperative to enact comprehensive immigration reform. This country was built on the shoulders of our immigrant ancestors, and California, perhaps more than any other state, has and will continue to benefit from the contributions of immigrants. We must preserve that legacy so that the United States is ever rejuvenated and prosperous.”

The full text of the letter – delivered to each member of the California House delegation today – follows:

July 17, 2013

Dear Representative:

As you debate the important topic of comprehensive immigration reform, we write to urge you to take up and pass S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. We firmly believe that this bill will fix our broken immigration system. Furthermore, we believe it is the right thing for California.

Our state has the most at stake in any immigration reform debate. We are home to nearly a quarter of the nation’s undocumented immigrant population – more than any other state. Undocumented immigrants comprise seven percent of our state’s population, eight percent of all adults, and nine percent of the workforce. Almost half of undocumented Californians have called our state home for more than 10 years, putting down roots and becoming American in all but legal status. Over 1.2 million children in California alone – 13 percent of our state’s children – are U.S. citizens with at least one undocumented immigrant parent. Our constituents and our communities are ready and waiting for reform.

As much as we have to lose if reform efforts fail, we have even more to gain if they succeed. A 2013 University of Southern California study found that earning lawful status would empower immigrants to inject as much as $8 billion into California’s economy each year.

Bringing undocumented immigrants out of the shadows would also even the playing field for American workers, as employers would face increased legal liability for exploiting unauthorized labor. Furthermore, all Californians would benefit from the more than 18,000 jobs created each year as a result of comprehensive immigration reform, according to a 2013 study by the Center for American Progress.

On the federal level, the Congressional Budget Office recently concluded that S.744 would reduce the federal budget deficit by $158 billion over the next 10 years, and $685 billion in the following decade. For any Member of Congress seeking to responsibly reduce our deficit, this bill is a clear path forward.

The economic case for passing S. 744 right now could not be clearer. Beyond that, we feel a moral imperative to enact comprehensive immigration reform. Our American values will not tolerate families living in the shadows and being torn apart due to a broken system. This country was built on the shoulders of our immigrant ancestors, and California, perhaps more than any other state, has and will continue to benefit from the contributions of immigrants. We must preserve that legacy so that the United States is ever rejuvenated and prosperous.

We look forward to partnering with you as the fight for comprehensive immigration reform continues.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

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