HIRONO STATEMENT ON HOUSE REPUBLICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM PRINCIPLES

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono released the following statement in reaction to the immigration reform principles unveiled by House Republicans on Thursday:

“Clearly, House Republicans recognize that we have a broken immigration system and that they should be part of the solution, rather than continuing to sit on the sidelines. Their recently unveiled principles on immigration reform give me hope that they will take action toward the kind of comprehensive reform that will not only strengthen our economy, but will enable millions of undocumented persons to come out from the shadows.”

The U.S. Senate’s only immigrant, Hirono worked closely with colleagues to shape the bill in the Judiciary Committee and on the Senate floor, attaching 11 amendments to the bipartisan bill that passed the Senate in June. Since the bill’s passage, Hirono has worked to support immigration reform by introducing legislation such as the Investing IN States To Achieve Tuition Equity (IN-STATE) for DREAMers Act, which would make the University of Hawaii system eligible for federal funding as part of a new $750 million initiative to reward states like Hawaii that offer in-state tuition and need-based financial aid to qualified students regardless of immigration status.