Politics

Rep. Gutierrez: Congress should ‘unify the family’ through immigrant visa reform [VIDEO]

Nicholas Ballasy Senior Video Reporter
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Illinois Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez told The Daily Caller that Congress should reform the immigrant visa system to “unify the family” as part of a comprehensive immigration reform bill.

“We believe we have to give people an avenue to come to the United States legally. … We want people to get right with the law – pay taxes, learn English, become American and integrate themselves fully,” Gutierrez told TheDC after a press conference with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus on immigration reform at the Capitol.

Gutierrez, a member of the House financial services committee, said he wants visa applications pending review to be expedited. (RELATED: Sen. Menendez says Obama has immigration mandate)

“In five years, we propose to eliminate any backlog in our visa. So, if you’re an American citizen and you’re waiting for your wife, I want her here today,” he told TheDC.

“If you’re an American citizen and you’re waiting for your child, I want them him here today. If you’re an American citizen and you’re waiting for your minor brother, I want that brother here today. I want to unify the family.”

Gutierrez has also called on Congress to offer a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants in the U.S.

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