Congress may be enjoying their annual August break however Americans are anxious to get them back to work in order to hash out the final version of the immigration reform bill. The issue has been hotly debated across the United States, perhaps even more so in states which are more directly impacted by the presence of undocumented immigrants. Texas is one such state; it is estimated there are some 4.2 million immigrants in the state of Texas and these immigrants make up nearly a fourth of the entire workforce. Texas economy grew nearly twice as much as every other state in the U.S. during 2012, and since almost ninety percent of all new residents to the state are immigrants, it can be safely deduced that immigrants make a strong contribution to the economic growth of Texas.

Representatives and citizens alike are demanding commonsense immigration reform which offers a tough but fair path to legal citizenship. New Jersey governor Chris Christie has voiced support for immigration reform stating that allowing the immigration system to continue in the way it is now is neither good for American economy nor for the immigrants who have worked, raised families and purchased homes in this country. It appears, in fact, that immigration support comes from both sides of the political aisle. Democrats and Republicans alike are at least attempting to work together to create a reasonable path to American citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently in the country.

A recent meeting at a South by Southwest conference discussed the importance of immigration reform to the business community as a whole. The goal is, of course, to create immigration reform which will help grow the American economy and create new jobs. Most Americans—business owners and the average citizen—believe that the creation of an earned path to citizenship could only boost the U.S. economy and strengthen the Social Security program. The agricultural community may be the most affected by final immigration legislation which comes out of Washington. The current immigration laws are considered extremely complex by most attorneys, making the process difficult for the average person to complete.

Immigrants Getting the Help They Need and Deserve

Undocumented immigrants who have spent years—or even decades—living, working, raising families or studying in the United States deserve to have their immigration goals reached and the dark cloud hanging over their heads removed for good. Most undocumented immigrants live in constant fear of being discovered and deported, perhaps even being forced to leave their families behind in the United States. Having one's immigration status in jeopardy can cause extreme stress and anxiety. Many of those who attempt to gain legal citizenship hit one brick wall after another as they fill out one complicated form after another as well as pay hefty fees with some of those forms. The area of immigration is one area of the law in which any delay at all could result in serious consequences. The keys to your future and that of your family might hinge on obtaining a green card and becoming a U.S. citizen. If you need help finding the best way to accomplish your dreams, consulting a Houston immigration attorney could be the most expedient way to do so.