But conference committee members still have not been named, and yesterday House Republican leadership announced they would hold summer hearings across the nation on the subject before trying to reach a compromise on the legislation. This unusual step will further delay necessary action on the bills, decreasing the likelihood that lawmakers will complete work on a comprehensive immigration reform package this year.

Meanwhile, immigration restrictionists have been bombarding Capitol Hill with anti-immigrant phone calls and mail, their latest campaign being to encourage supporters to mail bricks to their Members of Congress (thousands of bricks have come in already to symbolize support for the proposed wall on the southern border). The Campaign for Comprehensive Immigration Reform is countering with a project to encourage constituents to mail in work gloves to demonstrate their support for a fair, humane, realistic approach to our nation’s immigration problems.

Members of the Jewish community are sure to remain involved as this debate continues. Check out a recent article in the Forward on Jews and immigration policy by Gideon Aronoff, president and CEO of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, and stay tuned to the RAC website for future updates and ways to get involved.