Camarillo, CA – Responding to recent announcements that Congress has failed to pass a plan dealing with the current immigration crisis, Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) today released the following statement:

“As a member of the California Assembly representing the district that includes Naval Base Ventura County, where hundreds of undocumented immigrant children are currently being housed, I believe that Washington must take immediate action in regards to the crisis along our border. There are few issues more important to my district and to the state of California than solving the immigration crisis.

Congress must pass legislation related to the necessary services and support required to contain the current influx of children and teenagers from Central America before leaving for their summer recess.

The President must outline a strategic plan that illustrates how we bring the current situation to resolution and end the use of military bases as temporary housing for those who have crossed into the United States. This use of military resources is not the intended primary function of these bases.

What we are seeing at the border is ultimately the failure of Congress and the President to pass comprehensive immigration reform. The President’s unilateral actions and mixed public messages on immigration have helped precipitate this mass migration of young people from Central and South America. Congress and the President must move forward with comprehensive immigration reform.

We need bipartisan solutions – now. Representatives in Washington – Republicans and Democrats alike – must put politics aside and take action on immigration. The world is using the back door because our front is locked.

Comprehensive immigration reform must secure the border, provide stricter worksite enforcement to cut down on illegal hiring, and provide legal status for current undocumented immigrants who pass a background check, pay fines and back taxes – ultimately becoming eligible for citizenship after a specific probationary period.”