Menendez Tells ABC News’ “This Week” Bipartisan Immigration Reform Efforts Making “Significant Progress”

Menendez says options previously off-the-table, including a pathway to citizenship, now under consideration

WASHINGTON, DC — After a week marked by his chairing two Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) told ABC News’ “This Week” guest host Martha Raddatz that a pathway to citizenship for undocumented persons would be an essential element to any upcoming agreement on immigration reform legislation.

“First of all, Americans support it, in poll after poll. Secondly, Latino voters expect it. Third, Democrats want it and, fourth, the Republicans need it,” said Senator Menendez, who met with President Barack Obama, along with leaders of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, on Friday morning to discuss immigration reform.

“I am really pleased by the nature of the bipartisan meetings we are having with a group of six senators, three Democrats and three Republicans. And I understand a similar process is occurring in the House. That’s real movement forward. We’re making very significant progress.”

Senator Menendez also spoke of the importance of the enhancement of border security using greater technology and cracking down on employers who hiring undocumented persons. He added that the “right spirit” for real immigration reform existed and that President Obama had made it clear that it was a top legislative priority for his administration.