Rep. Gabe Vasquez Leads Resolution Introduction Condemning Decades of Republican Inaction on Immigration Reform and Border Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, April 10, 2024, Congressman Gabe Vasquez (NM-02)introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives, condemning decades of Republicans blocking crucial immigration reform action and border security measures. 

“Republicans have happily blocked bipartisan immigration reform for decades because it allows them to use it as a political tool and divide the American people. I’m in Congress to provide solutions, not play partisan games that block our nation’s progress,” said Congressman Gabe Vasquez (NM-02). “The people of New Mexico are witnessing the most dysfunctional Congress under far-right Republican leadership. I’m asking Republicans to take up my common-sense immigration and border security bills and get to the business of serving the American people.”

From stalled legislative efforts to blatant disregard for bipartisan compromise, Republican lawmakers have consistently put politics over people. The resolution highlights the detrimental effects of Republican inaction, emphasizing the strain on border communities and the continued disruption caused by the United States’ outdated immigration system. Despite numerous opportunities to enact change, Republican lawmakers have repeatedly fallen short, leaving our borders vulnerable and our immigration policies inadequate to support our workforce, local communities and families.

The resolution calls on lawmakers from both parties to set aside differences and work together to address the pressing challenges facing our immigration system and border security. Vasquez aims to hold Republican lawmakers accountable for their failure to act.

“It’s been nearly four decades since we’ve seen comprehensive immigration reform in this country – it’s time to change that,” said Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13). “Despite a crisis at our southern border, a broken immigration system and illicit fentanyl taking lives in communities across the country, Republican leaders in Congress refuse to consider a bipartisan solution. Today, I introduced a resolution with Congressman Gabe Vasquez that calls out the inaction of GOP leaders and pushes for the resources we desperately need to secure our border and restore order in our nation’s immigration system.”

“I’m deeply concerned to see House Republicans continue to block pragmatic and commonsense solutions for immigration reform and border security,” said Congressman Horsford (NV-04). “As a member of the Democrats for Border Security Task Force, I’m well aware of the critical need for bipartisan efforts to address our border security challenges and the fentanyl crisis. Immigrants are integral to our economic vitality in states across the country, particularly in Nevada where they comprise one in four workers. I urge my colleagues across the aisle to prioritize real needs over partisan politics.”

“I’ve been clear since day one: we have a crisis at the border, and we need all hands on deck to fix it. But the far-right House leadership under Mike Johnson and Elise Stefanik would rather use immigration for political gain than take action to actually fix the problem,” said Congressman Pat Ryan (NY-18). “It’s cynical, disappointing, and everything that’s wrong with American politics. It’s time to come together as Patriots, put country ahead of party, and deliver for the American people.”

“I came to Congress believing that we could find a bipartisan solution to immigration reform. Unfortunately, many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are too focused on turning this issue into a political hot potato, rather than working with Democrats to deliver comprehensive reform,” said Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06).“As a leader in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the daughter of an immigrant myself, I know that we can both secure our borders and deliver permanent relief for those who work hard and want to contribute to our communities. These things are not mutually exclusive. It is time for Republicans to come to the table and help us find consensus so that we can finally fix our broken immigration system.”

“U.S. House and U.S. Senate Republicans alike have said repeatedly that reforming our broken immigration system and strengthening our border security are pressing needs — and I agree. But after months of negotiations between Republicans and Democrats ending with an agreement in the Senate, former President Trump criticized the deal, Speaker Johnson called it ‘dead on arrival,’ and Senate Republicans walked away from a border security and immigration reform bill they had negotiated,” said Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA-07). “This episode is consistent with the long history of theatrics and, ultimately, inaction by congressional Republicans on the immigration and border security challenges facing our nation. Congressional Republicans must act in good faith and work in a bipartisan manner to address our country’s urgent need for border security and immigration reforms, and they must do it through the legislative process — as is our duty as lawmakers. The posturing, theatrics, and obstruction need to end.”

Since day one, Vasquez has introduced meaningful, bipartisan legislation to address immigration and border security challenges. His package of bills includes: the Stop COYOTES Act to go after coyotes and cartels who continue to harm migrant women and children, the Smart Border Protection Act implements new technologies and improved port of entry infrastructure to stop the flow of fentanyl, the Humane Accountability Act to hold detention centers accountable, the Farm Workforce Support Act to create a pathway to H-2A visa reform for farm workers who sustain our agriculture industry and the Strengthening our Workforce Act that provides a pathway to residency for immigrants who work in critical jobs such as energy workers, teachers, health care workers.

As our border communities and the nation grapple with these critical issues, Vasquez remains committed to advocating for change and pushing for bipartisan solutions that address the needs of all Americans. 

U.S. Reps. Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Pat Ryan (NY-18), Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) co-signed the resolution.

Full text of the resolution can be found at the link here. 

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