Davis Says House To Focus On Family Separation Fix

Congressman Rodney Davis says the U.S. House will now focus on legislation to keep immigrant families together at the border. That is after a broader effort to overhaul immigration policy failed this week, and divided Republicans in congress. 

The 13th District Republican blames lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for the failure to pass a more comprehensive measure. 

“The far right and the far left have made a cottage industry out of using immigration for a political tool, and I think it’s wrong. This was our chance to solve problems and not play politics, and unfortunately too many people on both sides of the aisle played politics," said Davis. 

He says the more moderate immigration bill — which he prefers — would have addressed families separated at the Mexican border, ensured a path to legal status for 1.8 million Dreamers and DACA children, created a merit-based immigration system, and funded a border wall. 

Davis says it would have been a victory for both Democrats and Republicans. Yet, he says he is disappointed that no House Democrats voted for it and nearly half the Republicans voted against it, with neither side appearing willing to negotiate. 

“It was a perfect compromise to address many of the issues that both sides have asked for, but I do believe that both polar ends of the political parties don’t want this immigration problem to be solved because they want to play politics with it," said Davis. 

Davis says he is not sure what it will take to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the House. However, he hopes the House will revise the bill, and a more conservative version that also failed to pass, and bring them back for another vote. He did not specify what changes he would like to see. 

CORRECTION: A version of this story broadcast 6/29/18 on WILL Radio stated incorrectly that Davis said the more moderate immigration bill would create a path to citizenship for DACA children. What should have been stated was: Davis said the moderate bill would ensure a path to legal status for 1.8 million Dreamers and DACA children.