House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte recently threw a curveball into the immigration debate by floating what has been anathema to House Republicans — a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
The Virginia Republican’s idea: legalize the 11 million undocumented immigrants and allow them to apply for citizenship using ways that already exist — including marriage to a U.S. citizen or sponsorship by another relative or an employer.
As chairman of the committee with primary control over immigration matters, Goodlatte is a key point man for House Republicans on immigration policy. It’s unclear whether his comments reflect the larger view of House Republicans, many of whom are flat-out resistant to the idea of allowing a pathway to citizenship to those here illegally.
But the chairman’s July 11 comments have piqued interest among immigration advocates. Reformers want to hear more about what the powerful chairman is thinking. Many are encouraged that Goodlatte is seeking solutions for undocumented immigrants. But others note that Goodlatte’s proposal could be legally unworkable.