Hopefully, Immigration This Week.

Later this week, many expect us to see the first detailed proposition for immigration reform from the “gang of 8” committee. While almost everybody agrees at this point on the main issues to be discussed (border, path to citizenship, modernization of process) as the proposal moves through committee, it is important to remember that the legislative process is full of ups and downs because one little snag could threaten the whole bill, especially if hardline Republicans have their way. Looking forward, caution has to be taken because what we see in the proposal may end up very different from the final package when it passes. In this vein, remember that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty and it’s going to take everyone’s effort to make sure a balanced, smart approach to immigration reform ends up on President Obama’s desk.

There is no such thing as a perfect piece of legislation. One session in any legislature will teach you that. It seems that half our work in this year’s legislature was fixing issues that arose from imperfect legislation in years past. The reason I bring this up is that I don’t want a conflagration when the first draft isn’t exactly what we want. Instead, it is important to channel that into impetus for making a change by contacting your Congressman and Senators. Personally, I feel that the most important things in the legislation include:

A Path to Citizenship- making sure those who strive to become contributing members of society have a chance to.

Modernizing the immigration system- there is not a reason for the multi-decade waits for immigrants that exist currently. The whole process needs to be streamlined, including new support for guest worker visas.

Family Reunification- there needs to be a solution to address the issue of family splits that occur through deportation.

Again, there isn’t going to be a perfect solution to these issues. They are tough, divisive issues, and it is going to take a lot of political courage and willpower to find a compromise that will pass. However, if we work at it, there should be a solution somewhere between the extremes of completely open borders and kicking everyone out that will pass. I encourage everyone to write their representatives and have provided the information to do so below.

Member Name                                            DC Phone            DC Fax  

Senator Saxby Chambliss (R- GA)              202-224-3521     202-224-0103                 http://www.chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email

Senator Johnny Isakson (R- GA)                202-224-3643     202-228-0724                 http://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-me

Representative Jack Kingston (R - 01)     202-225-5831     202-226-2269                 https://kingston.house.gov/contactform/default.aspx

Representative Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D - 02)     202-225-3631     202-225-2203     https://bishop.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

Representative Lynn Westmoreland (R - 03)       202-225-5901     202-225-2515                 https://forms.house.gov/westmoreland/webforms/zip_authen.html

Representative Hank Johnson (D - 04)    202-225-1605     202-226-0691     https://hankjohnson.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

Representative John Lewis (D - 05)          202-225-3801     202-225-0351     https://johnlewis.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

Representative Tom Price (R - 06)            202-225-4501     202-225-4656     https://tomprice.house.gov/contact-me

Representative Rob Woodall (R - 07)       202-225-4272     202-225-4696     https://woodall.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

Representative Austin Scott (R - 08)        202-225-6531     202-225-3013                 https://forms.house.gov/austinscott/webforms/zipauthen_contact.shtml

Representative Doug Collins (R - 09)        202-225-9893     202-226-1224     https://dougcollins.house.gov/email-me

Representative Paul C. Broun (R - 10)     202-225-4101     202-226-0776     http://broun.house.gov/contact/zipauth.htm

Representative Phil Gingrey (R - 11)        202-225-2931     202-225-2944                 http://www.house.gov/formgingrey/IMA/issue.htm

Representative John Barrow (D - 12)       202-225-2823     202-225-3377                 https://forms.house.gov/barrow/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm

Representative David Scott (D - 13)         202-225-2939     202-225-4628                 https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Reprinted from 5th District State Sen. Curt Thompson's (D-Tucker) blog. Thompson represents parts of unincorporated Duluth, Norcross, Tucker, and Lawrenceville. Also, check the Senator out on Facebook and Twitter.