WASHINGTON – Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement today on the Senate’s passage of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill: 

“I was proud to vote today to reform our nation’s broken immigration system.  The status quo is a burden on the economy and an impediment to innovation.  This bipartisan compromise will grow our economy, reduce the deficit, and continue our proud tradition of offering everyone a fair shot at achieving the American Dream while also strengthening our borders. The Senate’s bipartisan compromise includes several key priorities I have championed, such as new ‘STEM’ and entrepreneur visas for high-skilled graduates of American universities that will promote innovation and help create jobs. Our reforms also provide commonsense rules allowing undocumented immigrants an opportunity to earn citizenship by going to the back of the line, paying back taxes and penalties, and learning English.”