N.J. Republicans back immigration bill
By RAJU CHEBIUM • Gannett News Service • March 12, 2008

WASHINGTON — Immigration reform hasn’t resurfaced in Congress since the U.S. Senate derailed a bipartisan bill last June, but five New Jersey Republicans are pushing to change that.

They’re backing an effort by House Republican leaders to bring an immigration bill by Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., to a floor vote, bypassing the usual process of first getting legislation through congressional subcommittees and committees.

Reps. Mike Ferguson of New Providence, Chris Smith of Hamilton, Rodney Frelinghuysen of Morristown, Jim Saxton of Mount Holly and Scott Garrett of Wantage are among 150 House members who’ve signed a discharge petition to force a vote on Shuler’s bill. Most of the signers are Republicans.

A total of of 218 lawmakers must sign the petition for the bill to be “dischargedâ€