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While this week is a time that many womens issues from pay equity to domestic violence are discussed, the truth is that Congress is sitting on a particular issue that is critical to women: immigration reform. While partisan politics have divided Congress for several years, theres no reason that immigration reform cant move forward. Research has shown that the majority of Americans Democrats and Republicans favor a balanced approach to reform that would enhance our security and improve our economy.

While its not usually a top talking point on immigration reform, the truth is that our southern border is a security risk. We are lucky that a terrorist or an agent of a country wishing us harm has not come across the border for an attack. It is well documented that tremendous amounts of the illegal drugs in this country come across the border from Mexico. While these are not gender-specific issues, certainly national security and the war on drugs are issues that can have a great impact on women and families. Immigration reform that makes sense, secures the border and deters illegal crossings would benefit all Americans.

Immigration reform must also include a national employment verification system. Unscrupulous employers can lure cheap labor to the United States with the promise of cash payments that can be sent home to help families in poverty. Women are particularly targeted, paid rock-bottom wages. If we cracked down on employers and required everyone to be documented, these unsavory practices would end and fewer women would be victimized.

Finally, immigration reform is the right thing to do for families. Our country was founded by immigrants and for centuries has welcomed immigrants and refugees from around the world. Our porous border, patchwork of immigration laws, and abundant supply of under-the-table jobs have sent mixed messages to would-be immigrants for decades. Many of these families have lived in the United States for a generation, always in the shadows and hoping that they could continue to live here. Many families are divided: The children were born here and are U.S. citizens while the parents have no documentation. If our current laws were enforced, these families would be torn apart, likely hurting them economically and certainly causing severe emotional trauma. We cannot justify this path and yet leaving them in limbo is inhumane we need a path forward.

So as we honor the special women in our lives this Mothers Day, its fitting to reflect on how immigration reform would make this Mothers Day a little easier for many mothers. I urge others to join me in reminding our members of Congress that immigration reform should be a priority this year and ask them to give us all the gift of immigration reform.

Glorily A. Lopez is a Madison attorney who specializes in immigration law.

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Glorily A. Lopez: The gift of immigration reform a great idea

Nancy Pelosi on immigration reform: #39;Give us a vote #39;
Minority Leader speaks to Steve Kornacki about immigration reform and why she thinks Speaker John Boehner has a good heart on the issue.

By: TarnocFredar

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Nancy Pelosi on immigration reform: 'Give us a vote' - Video

Sen. Lindsey Graham,GOP In #39;Demographic Death Spiral, #39; Must Pass Immigration Reform,TRAITO
(CBS) Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., one of the gang of eight bipartisan senators who drafted the comprehensive immigration reform bill, attempted on Thursda. ...

By: News Paper

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Sen. Lindsey Graham,GOP In 'Demographic Death Spiral,' Must Pass Immigration Reform,TRAITO - Video

Rep. Renee Ellmers stance on immigration reform certainly didnt hurt her in her GOP primary win Tuesday but it didnt necessarily boost her, either.

A new poll from a pro-reform group conducted after voters cast ballots in Tuesdays North Carolina races found that immigration mattered little when they decided who to favor Ellmers or challenger Frank Roche, who centered his bid on the incumbents stance on immigration policy.

Ellmers position on immigration which includes legalization of immigrants living in the United States unlawfully made no difference for 59 percent of voters in their decision Tuesday, according to the poll. Fifteen percent of those polled said that stance made them more likely to support Ellmers, while 24 percent said it made them less likely.

(Full election results from POLITICO)

Of the voters surveyed, 65 percent said they heard not much or nothing about Ellmers views on immigration reform, while 34 percent said they heard some or a lot about her stances. And just 6 percent of voters ranked immigration as their top issue when deciding whom to vote for, while 9 percent listed it as a second choice.

It is clear that immigration was not a top tier issue for voters in this primary, said Republican pollster Glen Bolger, whose firm Public Opinion Strategies conducted the survey for the pro-reform Partnership for a New American Economy, which was launched by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Immigration reform advocates had kept close tabs on the Ellmers-Roche battle, seeing it as the best and perhaps the only test case in the nation of how the issue of immigration would matter in a Republican primary. Roche, a long-shot candidate whose fundraising fell far short of Ellmers, focused his challenge on the two-term lawmakers general support for immigration reform.

The poll also showed considerable support for a path to legal status with conditions from Republican primary voters in North Carolinas 2nd District, which Ellmers represents.

(PHOTOS: 10 must-watch House races in 2014)

Seventy-one percent of voters surveyed said they support a plan that would include bolstered border security and enforcement provisions, as well as a legal status for undocumented immigrants if they pay penalties and back taxes, as well as learn English. Meanwhile, 25 percent say they would oppose such a plan.

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Poll: Immigration negligible in N.C.

For a legislative cadaver, U.S. immigration reform has been kicking up a fair amount of dust. Pro-immigration activists have been protesting in front of the White House and lambasting President Obama as the nations deporter in chief. Meanwhile, House Speaker John Boehner has chastised his colleagues for being too timid to take up immigration legislation, then returned to Washington and taken it all back, placing blame, as usual, on Obama.

Unless House Republicans have a last-minute conversion and produce credible legislation, its time for the president to act. Obama has already directed Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to review options for easing deportations, and the president should think big. The demise of immigration reform would be a humanitarian failure and a political one. Millions of undocumented immigrants are locked in place, with deep roots in communities but limited ability to realize their full potential or contribute their full measure to the economy. An estimated 4.4 million undocumented immigrants have children who are U.S. citizens. About 600,000 have spouses who are either American citizens or legal residents. Most have been in the U.S. for a decade or more. Many have jobs in addition to families.

These immigrants are rarely among the deported. Most expulsions occur within 100 miles of the Mexican border, where recent arrivals are often targeted. At the same time, removals from what the Department of Homeland Security categorizes as the nations interiormore than 100 miles from the borderhave declined in recent years. Still, thousands of otherwise law-abiding immigrants with legal family members are deported each year, and millions live under the threat of it.

Having already deferred deportations for Dreamersyoung undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as childrenObama should extend the policy on similar terms to undocumented immigrants with lengthy residencies in the U.S. and family members who are U.S. citizens or legal residents. He has discretion in the enforcement of immigration law, though it would incense the opposition and further polarize debate. Opponents would no doubt label such a move as amnestyand they would be correct. But what is their alternative? The possibility that the U.S. will deport 11 million undocumented immigrants is no more than a cruel fantasy. And all sides agree that the status quo is destructive, undermining both the rule of law and immigrants potential.

House Republicans who object to a new class of deportation deferrals have the means to alter it. Its called legislation. A comprehensive immigration bill, with the imprimatur of Congress, remains by far the best possible outcome. A bipartisan majority of the Senate has already shown the way; the House need only follow suit. Government shouldnt be in the business of tearing families apart, Obama has said. Hes right.

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Obama Needs to Dial Back on Deportations