Hopes pinned on fixing immigration reform system | GainesvilleTimes.com

Northeast Georgians are waiting and watching with hope that the U.S. Congress’ efforts at immigration reform will make life better for them.

Those hopes pinned to the end results may be different depending on who you ask, but residents, business leaders and lawmakers agree the system isn’t working.

President Barack Obama acknowledged earlier this month that Congress’ efforts would not conclude before the August recess. The Senate has passed a comprehensive bill, but the House isn’t expected to take up any legislation before the break.

Gainesville immigration attorney David Kennedy said he liked the Senate bill, but some Republican members have rejected the proposal and oppose allowing people who came to this country illegally to earn citizenship. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., said he hopes the House of Representatives will fix the things he didn’t like in the Senate bill.

The landmark bill passed by the Senate last month would tighten border security, expand the highly skilled worker program and set up new guest worker arrangements for lower-skilled workers and farm laborers.

via Hopes pinned on fixing immigration reform system.