Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus have announced policy positions on immigration reform. The caucus includes six U.S. representatives from Texas, all Democrats: Greg Casar, Joaquin Castro, Henry Cuellar, Veronica Escobar, Sylvia Garcia, and Vicente Gonzalez.
"As the longtime leader on immigration issues in Congress, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus has always supported safe neighborhoods, equal treatment under the law, and an orderly, humane, and lawful immigration system," the group wrote in a statement. "Millions of immigrant Americans do not have lawful status because of constant Republican obstruction of immigration reform and Republican refusal to create legal pathways for immigration."
The caucus cites estimates showing immigrants account for 17% of the United States' economic output and pay $600 billion in federal, state, and local taxes each year. The organization says a path to lawful status would increase immigrants' economic contributions.
The caucus listed four priorities in an email sent this week:
1. Keep Families Together. Most immigrant families without lawful status, as well as mixed-status families, have lived in the United States for over 10 years, are hardworking, and do not have a criminal record. Ensuring that families stay together and have a path to citizenship—for instance by updating the registry
date—is a moral imperative for the Caucus. Mass deportations should be halted and only convicted violent criminals should be prioritized for detention and deportation—not families that often include children and spouses who are U.S. citizens.
2. Legalize Dreamers, DACA Recipients, and TPS Holders. Dreamers, DACA recipients, and TPS holders greatly contribute to our economy and deserve stability. Congress must pass legislation to provide a pathway to citizenship for hundreds of thousands of young people and TPS holders.
3. Protect Farm Workers. Immigrant farm workers make up an estimated 73% of agriculture workers in the United States—and about half are undocumented—undertaking essential work that puts food on our tables and fuels our economy. In an industry plagued by labor shortages, immigrant farm workers keep food prices low for working families. They are essential in fighting inflation. Providing lawful status to undocumented farm workers will ensure a stable agriculture workforce, improve their working conditions, and guarantee food security for the United States.
4. Modernize Border Security Resources. Resources from Congress should be used to quickly and humanely process individuals at ports of entry and adequately secure the border. Congressionally authorized funds should support additional staff, technology, and a modern border infrastructure that will keep border communities safe, quickly process individuals claiming protection, and safely return individuals found inadmissible.
The caucus says it will "continue to fight for legalization of undocumented communities and the expansion of legal pathways for immigration," saying Republicans have blocked those paths.
After taking office, President Donald Trump said Congress should pass a bill to increase funding for border security.
"In the coming weeks, I'm looking forward to working with Congress on a reconciliation bill that financially takes care of our plans to totally and permanently restore the sovereign borders of the United States once and for all," the president said.
Trump said the bill should include money for retention bonuses and more manpower at Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He said money could also pay for additional detention beds, barriers and border security infrastructure.
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