This week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell plans to bring the immigration debate to the floor through an open and unlimited amendment process that could subject senators on both sides of the aisle to politically tough votes. Through this process, a 60-vote threshold will be required for passage of any proposal. 

Sen. McConnell has endorsed a proposal based on President Trump’s framework that would provide approximately 1.8 million immigrants eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program with a path to citizenship. The proposal also would provide $25 billion for border security, including a wall, and would severely reduce legal immigration to the United States.

ABC, as part of the Essential Worker Immigration Coalition, expressed concerns regarding President Trump’s framework and the reduction in legal immigration that could affect the construction workforce. ABC also joined other major construction associations in signing a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate leadership outlining key priorities in the construction industry for immigration reform. 

The president has set a March 5 deadline to end the protections for DACA recipients.