Governor Quinn Urges U.S. House Leaders to Adopt Commonsense Immigration Reform

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today joined 14 Governors in urging Congress to adopt commonsense immigration reform without delay. In a letter to U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Governor Quinn noted that there is "widespread support" for comprehensive legislation, and we need an immigration system that "reflects our nation's values and strengthens our economies."

Joining Governor Quinn in a call-to-action are Governors of 14 other states from across the nation: Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

"From Hawaii to Vermont, people are demanding, and deserve, a complete overhaul of our nation's outdated, unfair immigration laws," Governor Quinn said. "This bill achieves that goal and does so with bipartisan support. My goal is to make Illinois the most ‘immigrant-friendly state' in the nation, and this legislation is a big step in that direction."

The Governors' letter cites the economic value of immigration reform, noting a Congressional Budget Office report that projects a decrease in the federal deficit of $175 billion over 10 years due to the reforms. The Governors argue that the new law is vital to border security, family farmers in need of a reliable workforce and foreign graduate students.

"Recognizing that rights come with responsibilities, we agree that individuals who wish to take advantage of this pathway must first pay taxes and a penalty," the letter states. "(But), this pathway must not be impassable. We...reject any requirements that litter the pathway with insurmountable obstacles."

In June, the legislation passed the U.S. Senate 68-32.

Related Documents

Democratic Governors Immigration Letter (PDF)