Washington, D.C. - Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today marked the fourth anniversary of the Senate's passage of bipartisan compressive immigration reform legislation. Bennet was a member of the bipartisan "Gang of Eight" that co-authored the bill in 2013.

"Four years ago, 68 Senators came together to do something about our broken immigration system," Bennet said. "Working through an open, bipartisan process, we passed a bill that would have secured our borders; bolstered internal security; better protected American workers; and strengthened our economy. In doing so, we affirmed two fundamental American values: that we are a nation of immigrants and we respect the rule of law.

"On this fourth anniversary of the bill's passage, I urge the administration and members of Congress to stop the rhetoric of fear that has infected the immigration reform debate," Bennet continued. "Instead, we should look to the Gang of Eight's bill as a blueprint for comprehensive immigration reform."

The Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 passed the Senate by a strong majority of 68-32. Despite this bipartisan success, the bill was never taken up in the House of Representatives. Bennet was one of a group of eight co-authors, which included Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John McCain (R-AZ), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Marco Rubio (R-FL).