A discussion on immigration reform was held Monday in San Antonio by Congressman John Carter (R-TX31) and Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), two members of the House Group of Eight working on an immigration reform bill.

During the “Left. Right. Forward.” bipartisan conversation, the two congressmen discussed their roles on the bill’s development, touching on how the group of House members worked together secretly for nearly four years on comprehensive immigration reform.   

“We have four conservative Republicans and four liberal Democrats that have spent nearly four years, meeting privately and without distractions, hammering out a comprehensive immigration bill. The American people want to see Congress work together and this bill will show that it can be done and done right,” said Congressman Carter, Chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee.

Evan Smith, Editor of the Texas Tribune, moderated the luncheon event and asked the two Congressmen about the impact the bill will have on the U.S. economy.

“This bill is about finding a compassionate yet firm and law-abiding solution to immigration reform. It also means bringing an estimated 11 million people out from the shadows and directly into the work force, where they will pay taxes, pay into social security, and contribute positively to our nation. We can do this without granting amnesty and without granting a new pathway to citizenship,” said Chairman Carter.

Chairman Carter and Rep. Gutierrez also met with elected officials from South Texas and members of the Texas Border Coalition to listen to their concerns on border security.

The event was co-hosted by the Greater San Antonio Chamber and the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber, along with the National Immigration Forum and IBC Bank.

The House comprehensive immigration bill is expected to be released in the near future.

Chairman Carter discusses the House comprehensive immigration reform bill with Rep. Luis Gutierrez (middle) and Evan Smith, Editor of the Texas Tribune (far left.)