U.S. Immigration Reform news: California Rep. Jeff Denham seeks Trump's support

(Reuters/Image courtesy of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee/Handout via Reuter)Image of Rep. Jeff Denham

California representative Jeff Denham is hoping to get President-elect Donald Trump's support for his immigration reform idea.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Denham would like to persuade the Congress to give way to immigrants that came to the U.S. illegally as children to obtain citizenship if they agreed to join the military. 

During the Presidential campaign period, Trump was firm in his decision about deporting millions of illegal immigrants. However, in the "Commander in Chief Forum" hosted by NBC on Sep. 8, 2016, the president-elect said he was willing to soften his stance if undocumented immigrants agreed to join the armed forces.

"I could see myself working that out, absolutely. Military is a very special thing. It would be a very special circumstance," Trump said.

Denham mentioned that his Desert Storm Air Force comrades earned their U.S. citizenship through military service. His grandfather also told him about immigrants serving in World War I.

"There's no greater act of patriotism than being willing to put your life on the line for a country that you love. It will show a great act of patriotism by those kids," Denham said.

The California representative is hoping that his immigration reform bill will be approved without any delays in either party.

It should be noted that Denham's bill is only applicable to immigrants brought to the U.S. as children before 2012. They still have to undergo military recruitment standards which include English language proficiency, high school diploma, and background check. They are also required to complete the tour of duty in order to be eligible for citizenship.

Meanwhile, Alabama senator Jeff Sessions is Trump's choice to be the new U.S. attorney general. Sessions was known as the Senate's fiercest opponent of immigration reform. He supported NumbersUSA, the organization whose aim is not only "to lock down the border, but to dramatically reduce the numbers of immigrants coming to the U.S."

With Denham's strong immigration reform idea and Sessions' steadfast opposition, immigration reform remains the most talked about agenda before Trump is even sworn in as the 45th U.S. president. 

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