In the News

‘Get our families out of the shadows’: Rep. John Duarte presents immigration bill in Kerman

Congressman John Duarte held a round table Friday night in Kerman to introduce a draft of his immigration bill. Central Valley leaders had the opportunity to give feedback or ask questions on the comprehensive bill. Congressman Duarte has been working on key legislation with Kerman Mayor Maria Pacheco. 

The bill would impact immigrant families not only in the Central Valley but around the United States. The legislation has two main components, securing the United States-Mexico border and amnesty.

“Real border security that’s verified, that’s executed, and that’s defined as is when it’s complete, and when it is complete, provisional visas for amnesty can be then turned into green cards, but only then,” said Duarte. 

The proposed legislation says those who married a U.S. citizen, have children or have been working in the U.S. for five years, with no criminal history, would be issued a green card. 

“We’re going to keep them here and we’re going to get green cards and we’re going to get our families out of the shadows and fully engage the American dream,” Duarte said.

Dreamers and DACA recipients would be eligible for a Conditional Permanent Residency. Those individuals would then be allowed to apply for a Lawful Permanent Residency, only if they obtain a college degree, serve at least three years in the military, or are employed for at least four years. 

But Duarte says the bill would not pass how it is.

“So today was just the first peek at the bill and just going through it and seeing what we agree on and what we don’t agree on,” Kerman Mayor Maria Pacheco said.

With modifications and feedback from the community, Pacheco and Duarte hope to create something that both parties can agree on. 

“We need to come back with a number of answers to questions that got raised tonight and give good, crisp answers,” Duarte said. “What does border security mean? How do we define completion and success?”

“So that the bill is strong and that it appeals to both sides,” Pacheco said.

“We’re encouraging mayors nationwide to get on our bill, our nonpartisan, thousand mayors, immigration reform,” Duarte said.

They will meet again in September, with the hope to have the draft of the bill in October.