America has a long, proud tradition as a nation of immigrants. As the son of immigrants and a first-generation American, I know that immigrants strengthen our communities and our economies. They deserve their chance at achieving the American Dream. 

No one knows better than border communities the harm that our broken immigration system does to families, businesses, and communities. We need comprehensive immigration reform that addresses the root causes of migration, helps restore faith in our legal immigration system, and creates a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and farmworkers. 

I was proud to support the American Dream and Promise Act, which would protect our nation's Dreamers, as well as TPS and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders, by allowing them to continue to live and work in our country and providing a pathway to citizenship. I have been proud to join my Democratic colleagues in the House in leading the effort to pass this legislation twice over the past years. 

While we continue to work to fix our broken immigration system, we must also do all that we can to restore humanity, efficiency, and justice to the current system. That’s why I joined nearly 70 colleagues in pushing the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to lengthen the current automatic extension period for immigrants’ work permits to give workers, families, and businesses the certainty they deserve. 

I’m also committed to working to provide Dreamers with the opportunities and support they need to succeed. I introduced the Homeownership for Dreamers Act to ensure Dreamers and their families can continue to benefit from the same federal homeownership opportunities offered to all Americans. This legislation makes sure that future Presidential administrations cannot cut off their access like we saw under the previous administration.

I’ve been a strong supporter of Shelter and Services Program (SSP) funding for our district. I worked with the San Diego Congressional delegation to secure over $39 million in SSP funding for non-governmental organizations and partners who are providing assistance to migrants and asylum seekers awaiting the outcome of their immigration proceedings. This funding helps ensure our community can continue to provide migrants in need with shelter, food, and other critical resources.

Additionally, California’s 52nd Congressional District is home to the San Ysidro Port of Entry – the busiest land port in the Western Hemisphere for passengers and the second busiest crossing point for trucks on the southern border. I have worked to update and modernize this important gateway to cut down on border wait times and support our communities and economy. 

We also must continue to support our national security, foreign policy, economic, and humanitarian interests by helping refugees and asylum seekers. That’s why I lead efforts to secure funding for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, a longstanding bipartisan program that enables our nation to provide lifesaving protection to some of the world’s most vulnerable people. We must continue to work to ensure that the basic human needs of people fleeing persecution are met, while also addressing the root causes of migration.

Read more about my work on these issues: