San Antonio mayor backs immigration reforms in House hearing

Washington, DC, United States (4E) – San Antonio, Texas Mayor Julian Castro expressed his support to legalizing 11 million illegal immigrants during the first hearing on immigration reforms by the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday.

Castro told committee chairman, Rep. Robert Goodlatte (R-Va.), the reforms called by President Barack Obama and backed by a bipartisan group of senators will help keep U.S. businesses competitive in the global economy. He said the outdated visa system separates families and hurts American companies seeking skilled workers, according to Mysanantonio.com.

The mayor added that specific reforms needed are stronger border security, streamlined visa application process and a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants. He said granting mere legal status without citizenship will create a second class of citizens.

Also testifying in the hearing was former U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform chief Michael Teitelbaum, who said visa rules should be eased to increase the number of skilled workers needed by American companies. Teitelbaum also proposed a national employee verification system.

Goodlatte said the issue must be tackled methodically and in stages, but Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), a ranking Democrat on the immigration subcommittee, warned that every day of delay in reforming the immigration system causes immeasurable harm.

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