Few Former Immigration Lawyers in Congress

 

Suzanne Monyak for Roll Call notes that, although immigration reform is a pressing national issue, few members of Congress  which is filled with lawyers (roughly 40% have a law degree), have immigration experience.  Kathy Manning, a former immigration lawyer with two decades of experience, had recently decided to run for office when she turned on the TV — and listened to politicians engage in immigration rhetoric. Manning is one of a handful of members who practiced immigration law.  Monyak talks about a few.

Representativ Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) did substantial immigration work as pro bono counsel at a major law firm.

“A lot of people who opine on immigration law, you talk to them, they have no idea what's actually in the law, and that can be a real impediment to progress,” says Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), who chairs the Judiciary Committee’s immigration panel — and a former immigration lawyer and law professor.  Lofgren has been a leader on immigration in the House for many years.

KJ