Biden’s immigration bill may not get passed in the congress as it is

Immigration advocates and experts believe that Biden’s comprehensive immigration bill which was prepared to overhaul Trump era immigration system, may not pass in the congress as it is, as it may face tough opposition from senators, a report by CNBC said.

However, despite opposition there may be opportunities for bipartisan compromise, the report said.

The US Citizenship Act of introduced by Democrats on Feb.18, proposes a pathway to citizenship to 11 million undocumented workers, elimination of per country quota for employment-based green cards,work authorization for dependents of H-1B foreign workers, broaden legal immigration avenues, and reduce visa backlogs, among other provisions.

“We are pursuing an ‘all of the above’ strategy,” lead sponsor Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., said at the news conference unveiling the bill. “All options are on the table, and we hope to pass robust immigration reform, but there are other great immigration bills that we also will be taking up and hopefully passing as well.”

According to report, legislation needs a minimum of 10 Republican votes to get passed in Senate and move the bill to a final vote on passage as Democrats hold slim majorities in both chambers of Congress, the report said.

Its very unlikely that Republican lawmakers vote the path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants in particular as they demand greater border security measures, the report said.

“There isn’t anyone who’s saying that there’s an easy path for this bill to pass,” CNBC quoted Jacinta González, senior campaign organizer for advocacy group Mijente, as saying. “We have to be really realistic and honest with our people about that.”

While advocates consider that the comprehensive package is unlikely to pass, they see the bill as a starting point for legislative movement on immigration reform.

“There are pieces in that bill that do have significant support that if taken separately could actually get passed into law,” said Jorge Lima, senior vice president of policy at Americans for Prosperity, the conservative political advocacy group backed by billionaire Charles Koch, the CNBC report said.