Immigration bill in Senate Judiciary Committee

From ANLA's Craig Regelbrugge

The powerful Senate Judiciary Committee formally took up S.744 on May 9. The bill, formally known as the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013, had over 300 amendments filed by Judiciary members. The Committee is now in the process of what is known as a “mark-up,” in which many of the filed amendments will be considered and voted on. 

On the first day of the mark-up, over 30 amendments were either voted upon, or withdrawn. While many amendments offered by both Republicans and Democrats were approved, in a “so far, so good” kind of way, amendments seen as attacking the heart of the bipartisan agreement the bill represents were rejected. 

The Judiciary mark-up continues this week, and Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) hopes to wrap up the Committee’s work next week prior to adjourning for the Memorial Day recess.