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Is There a Possibility for Bipartisan (and Limited) Immigration Reform?

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Official Congressional Photo of Senator Kyrsten Sinema 

In the last few weeks, there has been considerable chatter about the possibility of some type of bipartisan immigration reform.  Senators Kyrsten Sinema, who was recently in the news with her leaving the Democratic Party to become an Independent from Arizona, and Thom Tillis (R-NC) have floated a framework for immigration reform.  The framework reportedly would provide legal status for young undocumented immigrants and appropriations for border security. 

In an update for NBC News,  and  large “business groups are making a last-ditch effort to get Congress to pass immigration legislation before the end of the year and are optimistic a bipartisan agreement could fall into place.” 

With partisan divides on immigration, there was little optimism of a deal getting done, until Senators Kyrstan Sinema and Thom Tillis circulated the framework for an immigration deal.

“While the details of a Sinema-Tillis bill have yet to be finalized, the pair’s track record of being able to reach compromise on other issues sparked a wave of optimism among industry lobbyists, who see it as their last best hope to get a deal done on immigration in an increasingly narrow time frame.”

Business groups are preliminary supportfor reform legislation.  The “American Hotel and Lodging Association recently launched a six-figure advertising push in North Carolina, South Carolina, Arizona, Texas and West Virginia calling on Congress to pass legislation that would allow more immigrant workers and has been polling on the issue.” The National Restaurant Association reportedly is preparing to launch a campaign in support of the reform bill. The Chamber of Commerce also have expressed support for the Sinema-Tillis efforts.

KJ

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