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                Washington Week: Focus on US Immigration Reform

   by Michael Bowman

   Immigration reform remains in Washington's political spotlight this
   week. Attention will be focused on whether and how the House of
   Representatives proceeds on an overhaul of federal immigration laws.
   Congress returns to work after a weeklong recess.  Many legislators
   heard passionate and pointed words in their home districts on
   immigration reform.
   "We are here today as a coalition, as a group to put the pressure where
   the fight will be: on the House [of Representatives]," said immigration
   reform protester Richard McDaniel.
   Last month, the Democratically-controlled Senate passed a bill that
   would boost U.S border security, streamline the legal immigration
   process, and provide a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented
   workers.  Action in the Republican-controlled House is far from
   assured.
   Represenative Bob Goodlatte is chairman of the House Judiciary
   committee, which oversees immigration matters. "I do not think a
   special pathway to citizenship should be provided at all," he said.
   Instead, many Republicans want to focus on border security first and
   foremost.  But an enforcement-only approach that fails to address the
   legal status of the undocumented is unacceptable to many Democrats,
   including President Barack Obama.
   Only if both houses of Congress pass an identical version of
   immigration reform would the bill go to the White House for Mr. Obama's
   signature.
   House Speaker John Boehner has given no indication a vote will be held.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/washington-week-focus-on-us-immigrati
   on-reform/1696858.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/washington-week-focus-on-us-immigration-reform/1696858.html