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GUEST: Fernando Garcia, Director of the Border Network for Human Rights based in El Paso, Texas

When Congress returns to session just after Labor Day, it only has five weeks left before recessing for the mid-term elections in November. That gives lawmakers a short time to enact an immigration reform bill. The Republican controlled House of Representatives has been holding a controversial series of hearings on immigration across the country this month, which many have denounced as political theater, intended to make immigration an emotional election year issue. Earlier this year, the US Senate passed a reform bill that provides more visas and a path to citizenship for many but not all undocumented immigrants, but also tough and excessive enforcement measures. Last December the House passed HR 4437, the enforcement-only bill that sparked millions onto the streets of US cities. Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office has said that the Senate’s immigration proposal on would cost $49 billion over the next five years and $127 billion over the next decade.

For more information, visit www.bnhr.org.