As the Senate continued to work its way through the massive immigration reform bill today, Sen. Mazie Hirono took to the floor to criticize aspects of it. In particular, Hirono is unhappy about changes to the family immigration system.

While the bipartisan bill would clear the backlog of family members —including those now facing a decades long wait to immigrate from the Philippines — it would eventually do away with visa categories for siblings and adult married sons and daughters. Those family members would be subject to a merit system that would consider such factors as education.

Hirono, though, said, “Women in too many other countries do not have the same educational or career advancement opportunities available to men in those countries. In practice, the bill’s new point system takes that discriminatory treatment abroad and cements it into our immigration laws, making it harder for women to come to our country than for men.”

She also criticized a provision — included to requiring  immigrant taxpayers to pay the same taxes as everyone else but blocks these taxpayers from utilizing safety net programs for at least 13 years.

Hirono said she is drafting amendments to the bill. However, their chances are considered a longshot as Democratic leaders try to gain as much Republican support in the Senate to enhance the bill’s chances in the House. She’s expected to vote for the entire measure at final passage.

— Kery Murakami