Mark Warner comments on immigration proposal

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) issued the following statement after a bipartisan group of eight senators introduced a bill to fix our nation’s broken immigration system.

The bill was introduced by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.).

“I am reviewing the bipartisan Group of Eight immigration proposal and my initial impressions are very positive.  I am encouraged to see a consensus forming to take action to reform our broken immigration system. Immigrants in Virginia are small business owners, entrepreneurs, agricultural workers, top students, neighbors and community leaders.  These new Americans help make our Commonwealth stronger. For the past few years, I have been working to broaden access to visas for STEM graduates and immigrant entrepreneurs.  I think the Gang of Eight proposal is a reasonable starting point for entrepreneur visas, but I am hopeful that the bill can be strengthened further to fuel innovation and business startups and provide support for the creation of high-skill, high-wage jobs.  I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to better secure our nation’s borders, establish an effective employer verification system, and find a workable solution for the millions of undocumented immigrants currently residing in the United States.”