Immigration
“The lesson of immigration is no more clearer than when you reflect on the rich diversity of our nation and the contributions immigrants have made to our way of life throughout our nation’s history. We must strive to uphold and honor this lesson.”
- Congresswoman Barbara Lee
To see more of my videos, please click here.
Enriching Our American Community
Congresswoman Lee is working with her colleagues in Congress to reform our current immigration system so that it is fair, preserves family unity, protects our communities, and recognizes the contribution that immigrants have made and continue to make to our society.
She believes that we need a comprehensive plan that promotes equity, economic well-being, and long-term growth. The overwhelming majority of the 11 million undocumented immigrants in this country are active contributors to our communities, and as a nation of immigrants, we need to respect these contributions. For example, Dream Act-eligible young people, who were brought here by no fault of their own, are everyday examples of the American Dream, and Congresswoman Lee believes it is long past time to fully incorporate them into our society.
Congresswoman Lee also supports increasing the number of visas for foreign students who come to the United States to further their education, especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. The United States is losing its investment in these bright students by educating them here in fields vital to the growth of our economy and then forcing them to leave.
Additionally, the Congresswoman strongly supports the Diversity Visa Program, which awards about half of its 50,000 annual visas to continental African immigrants, and is the vehicle for African lawyers, teachers, and other professionals to become legal permanent residents.
Lastly, Congresswoman Lee supports an immigration policy that preserves family unity and does not unfairly exclude individuals based on their sexual orientation.. Congresswoman Lee believes we should focus our efforts on deporting violent criminals, not parents of small children who are here trying to make a better life for their families.
As a member of Rep. Luis Gutierrez’s Democratic Working Group on Immigration, Congresswoman Lee is committed to working with her colleagues to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation that provides a roadmap to citizenship and recognizes the contributions that immigrants continue to make to our country.
