The compromise immigration bill being considered by House Republicans would convert 2.2 million illegals into citizens, making it the largest amnesty legislation in U.S. history, according to the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS).
The compromise bill, one of two that House Republicans are scheduled to vote on Wednesday, would provide a pathway to citizenship for an additional 1.5 illegal immigrants in the country; 700,000 are already Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.
That would be an influx of immigrants roughly the size of Houston (population 2.3 million).
"If the bill were enacted it would be the largest amnesty in more than 30 years, despite President Trump's campaign promise of 'no amnesty' and after multiple GOP congressional leaders expressed opposition to amnesty for any illegal aliens," wrote Jessica Vaughn, director of policy studies for CIS.
However, the compromise bill, along with the conservative bill sponsored by Rep. Bob Goodlatte, are both expected to fail. Moderate Republicans do not favor the Goodlatte bill; likewise, conservatives will never back the compromise legislation.
"Most legal immigrants come via family-based chain migration," Vaughn wrote.
"Unlike the Goodlatte bill, which came close to passing last week, with 193 votes, the (Paul) Ryan bill would preserve the largest chain migration categories (such as the parents of naturalized citizens, including those of 'Dream' amnesty beneficiaries) while transferring numbers from several smaller chain migration categories to other uses, thereby maintaining at least the same total number of green cards for the foreseeable future," Vaughn wrote.
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