Attorney Ashby Responds to House Republicans' Opposition to Immigration Reform

The Commercial Appeal published Donati Law attorney Bryce Ashby’s article, “House Republicans, lost in an immigration wilderness,” in response to the House Republicans’ opposition to the Senate’s immigration reform plan. Ashby and co-author Michael J. LaRosa provide some clarity and insight to the House Republicans’ key arguments.

For instance, in opposition, House Republicans’ assert that “the Obama administration can’t be trusted to enforce immigration law and the Senate’s border security provisions.” In fact, the “Obama administration will have deported about 2 million people…Obama has deported more people in his first four years than President George W. Bush did during his full two terms.” The article further explores the threefold argument of the House Republicans’ opposition.

“More than 200 amendments were considered during five days in the Judiciary Committee, and there were three more weeks of markup (or debate/negotiation) for noncommittee members. This bill passed with 68 votes in the Senate, a rarity in the fractured, hyperpartisan environment ofWashington.” [ click to view full article>>]

Ashby and LaRosa note that opposing this opportunity for immigration reform will likely erode political support amongAmerica’s Hispanic population and communicate “a lack of concern for, and failure to acknowledge the essential humanity of Hispanic Americans.”

(Excerpts via the Commercial Appeal).

Ashby has worked extensively with Memphis's Latino and immigrant communities, and he currently sits on the board of Latino Memphis. Ashby concentrates his law practice in the areas of employment law, personal injury, workers' compensation and immigration law, with an emphasis on representing Spanish-speaking clients.

Ashby co-authored “ House Republicans, lost in an immigration wilderness ” with Michael J. LaRosa, an associate professor at RhodesCollege specializing in Latin American history.