Rep. Sires Of NJ: Bill Will ‘Bring Humanity’ To U.S. Immigration

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Rep. Albio Sires of New Jersey has thrown his support behind a Democratic-led effort to revamp immigration in the United States.

On Thursday, Sen. Robert Menendez and Rep. Linda Sánchez of California introduced President Joe Biden's long-awaited plan to overhaul the nation's immigration policy in Congress. Dubbed the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, the federal legislation would create an "earned roadmap to citizenship" for millions of undocumented immigrants, including "Dreamers," TPS holders and some farmworkers.

The proposal has picked up enthusiastic praise – and bitter criticism. Supporters say it will revamp a broken immigration system and make a 180-degree turn from the policies of former President Donald Trump. But opponents say it's a "blatantly partisan proposal" that "rewards those who broke the law." Read More: Democrat Plan Could Give 11 Million Immigrants A Path To Citizenship

Sires, who represents New Jersey's 8th District, had this to say about the bill:

“I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the #USCitizenshipAct which will protect workers, invest in effective border management, and bring humanity to our immigration system. I look forward to working with my congressional colleagues to make long overdue immigration reform a reality.”

Born in the Cuban town of Bejucal, Sires grew up in the waning years of pre-Communist Cuba. His family fled in January 1962 with the help of relatives in the United States.

Sires represents the following municipalities in Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties: Fairview, Belleville, Newark (part), Bayonne (part), East Newark, Guttenberg, Harrison, Hoboken, Jersey City (part), Kearny (part), North Bergen, Union City, Weehawken, West New York, Elizabeth.

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