Obama praised the Senate Judiciary Committee move to approve the Immigration bill, which will pave the way for 11 illegal million residents to gain American citizenship in 13 years.
With one of Obama’s priorities being met, it wasn’t surprising that he released a statement, which said, “I encourage the full Senate to bring this bipartisan bill to the floor at the earliest possible opportunity and remain hopeful that the amendment process will lead to further improvements.”
Apart from creating a way for citizenship, strengthening the border along the southwestern border with Mexico and which has long been responsible for the influx of illegal immigrants.
At another level altogether, and in compliance with the committee’s recommendation, the vote also agreed on easing restrictions on the hiring of Indian and Chinese employees for American hi-tech companies.
Yet quite contrary to this breakthrough was the withdrawal of an amendment that allowed people to sponsor their same-sex partners who are foreigners for citizenship for the fear that the amendment would prevent the legislation from passing in Congress. This was done by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy before the vote was taken with the promise that this obvious discrimination would be addressed soon.
While it was understandable that Democrats want equality for both heterosexual and homosexual couples, Republicans would not support the entire bill if this amendment was also a part of the bill as well, and which was the reason for the withdrawal of the amendment.
While immigration activists cheered “Yes, we can! Si, se puede!” with the results of the vote, LGBT activists weren’t so pleased with the withdrawal of the amendment.