{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-even-new-protections-time-now-comprehensive-immigration-reform", "Larsen: Even With New Protections, Time is Now For Comprehensive Immigration Reform", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, released the following statement tonight about President Obama\u2019s executive order to defer deportation for parents of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents who have been in the U.S. for more than five years and meet certain requirements, and expand the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Larsen also called again for comprehensive immigration reform. He is\u00a0an original cosponsor of H.R. 15, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act.\n\u00a0\n\u201cI understand the President\u2019s decision today to defer deportation for millions of immigrants here illegally who have children who are American citizens or legal residents. Our country\u2019s immigration system should not focus on tearing families apart, but instead on upholding national security and public safety. That is one of many reasons why the real solution to the complex issue of immigration must be comprehensive, like the reform bill\u00a0I have long supported.\n\u00a0\n\u201cRepublicans should channel their outrage about the President\u2019s decision into voting on the bipartisan comprehensive reform bill the Senate already passed. The President has said Congressional action would override his executive order, so there is a clear solution to Republicans\u2019 indignation \u2013 let the House vote.\n\u00a0\n\u201cBecause of House Republicans\u2019 inaction, I\u00a0asked the President earlier this year\u00a0to consider expanding prosecutorial discretion guidelines that account for ties immigrants have here, like close family members in the U.S. who are citizens, legal permanent residents, or\u00a0DREAMers. I support steps like this within the confines of the law that focus resources on those who pose a threat to public safety, not separating families,\" Larsen said.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-even-new-protections-time-now-comprehensive-immigration-reform"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.54083501547575, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}