Schoenberger Likes Amnesty Bill

Press Release

New City, NY ((August 15, 2013) – Rockland County Legislator Ilan Schoenberger is sponsoring a resolution in support of a comprehensive immigration reform bill introduced by U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (NY) and passed by the U.S. Senate in June. The bill has been referred to the House of Representatives.

The Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act (S.744) would establish a path to legal status for many undocumented immigrants through a points-based immigration system that would consider professional skills, work history and family relations.  Other provisions of the bill include: stronger border security and enforcement by the addition of 40,000 border patrol agents, removal of per country green card quota limits to eliminate long backlogs, new restrictions on the temporary employ of foreign workers in specialty occupations and the creation of 25,000 more visas/green cards for foreign students who hold a master’s degree in science, technology, engineering or math from U.S. institutions.

The bill would also eliminate the so-called Green Card Lottery, which awards 55,000 permanent resident visas annually to natives of countries deemed to have low rates of immigration to the United States in favor of prospective legal immigrants who are already in the country.  Furthermore, the bill would create a program to provide jobs to low-income and low-skilled American youth.

“The ethnic and cultural diversity of Rockland County is a wonderful example for the Federal Government to follow as it works to modernize immigration laws,” said Legislator Schoenberger. “Our county is enriched by the many immigrants who settle here. Their customs, values and work ethic have contributed to make Rockland the great county that it is.  This resolution, which encourages the House of Representatives to pass the reform, speaks to the positive impact of immigration and presents Rockland as a shining example.”