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Immigration Legislation Watch 6/28: Senate Killed the Immigration
Bill, Statements from National Immigrant Solidarity Network
Today (6/28), the Senate killed the
immigration bill by 46 to 53 vote, meaning that the issue is most
likely dead until after the 2008 elections. The fight for rights and dignity for all immigrants is a long-term struggle, it won't change only for one legislation--it's a life-long struggle, it need decades--even generations of activists tirelessly fighting before we'll able to achieve our success. Let's all hope from the lessons we learn today, we'll be more wiser and we'll be prevail. Related Articles: 6/30: Immigration battle shifting to states, cities 6/30: Experts say failure of Senate immigration bill can be lesson for U.S. Congress 6/29:
Immigrant Bill Dies in Senate; Defeat for Bush 6/28: CHIRLA DISAPPOINTED BY SENATE’S FAILURE TO PASS JUST AND HUMANE IMMIGRATION REFORM 6/28: STATEMENT OF LA FAMILIA LATINA UNIDA/SIN FRONTERAS AND ADALBERTO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 6/28: LULAC CALLS ON CONGRESS TO CHART A NEW COURSE ON IMMIGRATION 6/28: Senate Blocks Effort to Revive Immigration Overhaul 5/25: National Immigrant
Solidarity Network Statement about the recent Senate-White House
Immigration Plan, TAKE ACTION TO OPPOSE IT! On Thursday May 17, key Democrat
and Republican members of the Senate had reached a compromise immigrant
agreement with the President Bush after months of closed-door negotiations.
1. False
Path to Citizenship The cruelest joke is that border enforcement triggers must be met and the backlog must be cleared before legalization and new worker provisions can be implemented. The implementation of border provisions is estimated to take two years and the estimation to clear the visa backlog is eight years. Conceivably it could be determined that border provisions are not met or that additional years are needed to meet the trigger provisions. Tacking on the estimated eight years to process under this legalization, it may take 16 or more years before a person can become a permanent resident. The argument is that this is needed so these individuals don't go to the front of the line. This is a specious argument because if Congress truly was concerned about going to the front of the line it would have repealed the Cuban Adjustment Act which allows any Cuban after one year entry into the United States legally or illegally to go in front of everyone citizen and permanent resident alike in order to be to be granted permanent resident status. Clearly this measure is designed only to punish. 2. Elimination
and Reduction of certain family-based categories In addition, a new merit-based point system
for green cards is created for all applications received after May
2005. This would create a massive boondoggle.The point system criteria
is set by Congress and cannot be modified for 14 years. Our economy
is then strapped by this policy that has been set in stone. The
economic implications of this is enormous. Adjustments to a fast
moving economy can not be made. This becomes a recipe for economic
disaster. This point system also creates an inequitable move away
from the present family based visa system that has served America
well and has contributed to America's ability to compete in the
world market. The present employment based visa system is not broke.
It needs expansion in order to address unmet labor needs especially
with respect to unskilled labor. 3. Criminization of the
immigrant communities 4.New Guest Workers Programs 5. Militarization of the Border 6. Failure to Address Thousands
of TPS Applicants Given that past U.S. immigration policies have changed year-to-year there is no guarantee that "good" elements of this bill will remain and that bad elements will not increase. In the end, undocumented immigrants will forced to choose an"illegal" way to enter and stay in this country because of excessive costs and the barriers to take the "legal" way. It is unacceptable that immigrants must pay excessive fees in the thousands of dollars and will be required to depart the United States in order to begin the process to apply for permanent resident status. The burdensome nature of this bill confirms that the main objective of this immigrant bill is to punish undocumented immigrants! The destiny of 12 millions or more undocumented immigrants is one of the critical human rights issues in the U.S., we need a comprehensive immigration reform bill that will guarantee path to the citizenship with dignity. We cannot accept any bills that will criminalize immigrant communities and enforcing punishments, because immigrant workers are not "illegal," and we deserve respect and basic human rights.
Related Articles: 5/21: LULAC Opposes Senate Immigration Compromise 5/18: Senate Immigration Deal Raises Serious Concerns for South Asian 5/17: Senators Reach Agreement to Proceed on Immigration Reform Our Responds to the Recent President Bush and Congress's Immigration Proposals Lee Siu Hin April 11, 2007 Immigrant issue once again become the hot topic at Washington. Last month, the Congress introduced bi-partisan STRIVE Act (The Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy Act, H.R. 1645), and last week President Bush unveils his new immigration proposal, they both calls for comprehensive immigration reform. Bush's proposals, along with Congress's STRIVE Act have many similarities, while they both advocate for "path to the citizenships" includes granting work visas to undocumented immigrants and eventually permanent resident status. But that's a serious flaw--it requires them to return to home and pay hefty fines to become legal U.S. residents, they also need to go though a very tough background check by the government. Under President Bush's plan, they could apply for three-year work visas, dubbed "Z" visas, which would be renewable indefinitely but cost $3,500 each time. The undocumented workers would have legal status with the visas, but to become legal permanent residents with a green card, they'd have to return to their home country, apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate to re-enter legally and pay a $10,000 fine, according to the Los Angeles Times. Even worse, both bill allows criminalizing the immigrant communities by empowering local police to enforce immigration law, and pushing "tougher" background checks on immigrants. The proposal is unrealistic because there's no guarantee when they leave the country, they can return, nor how long it'll take fan applicants to apply and receive their visa at foreign U.S. embassy so they can able to return to the country. Giving the facts that past U.S. immigration policies could change-year-to-year from better to worse, there's no guarantee that if the bill passes, "good" element of the bill will be able to keep, but the "bad" elements of the bill will be remain. At the end, it'll force undocumented immigrants to continue to choose "illegal" way to enter and stay in this country, because it cost too much and very difficult to do it "legal" way. We cannot accept immigrants need to pay thousands of dollars of "fine" and "fees" to apply for visa, go through the humiliation of tougher background check, and require them to leave country to apply immigrant visas in order to return to the country. This is a immigrant bill that still penalizing undocumented immigrants! Furthermore, the Bush proposal and the STRIVE Act both calls for spending billions of dollars to build a so-called a "high-tech" border fence along U.S.-Mexico border, it'll force migrants to go though even more dangerous journey, it'll be creating more border deaths with tragidies, and only fatten the pockets of the migrant smugglers. This is a racist wall because it only target Mexican border but not Canadian border. The destiny of 12 millions or more undocumented immigrants is one of the critical human rights issues in the U.S., we need a comprehensive immigration reform bill that will guarantee path to the citizenship with dignity. We cannot accept any bills that will criminalizing immigrant communities and enforcing punishments, because immigrant workers are not "illegal," and we deserve our respects and the basic human rights. On May Day 2007, we are calling immigrant, community, labor and human rights activists across the country to organize march and action to support immigrant workers rights. For more information, please visit: http://www.MayDay2007.org This is a multi-ethnic, decentralized actions to support immigrant workers rights at May Day 2007, and to denounce President Bush's immigration proposal, and to demand Congress to redraft their propose bill. Understanding the connections between our individual conditions of life and the lives of people everywhere in the word allows us to come together and organize across all borders. WE NEED to build a multiethnic unity between: immigrant communities, African American community, labor, interfaith and peace activist to fight for our common goals. Let's all come together on May Day 2007,
to build a new immigrant rights 3/23: New Immigrant Bill Introduced at Congress: STRIVE Act of 2007 The Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy Act (STRIVE Act H.R. 1645) H.R. 1645, Introduced by Representatives Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and 28 other original co-sponsors on March 22, 2007. Among other things, the bill tightens borer security and interior enforcement, establishes an employment verification system, provides a new worker program for the future flow of immigrant workers, overhauls the family immigration system to reduce backlogs, contains an earned legalization program for the undocumented living in the U.S., and facilitates the integration of immigrants. A four-page overview | A longer 12-page summary Analysis from Arizona Congress Watch
3/29: White House works behind the scenes for immigration reform The administration has been meeting with key Republican
senators to devise a consensus plan aimed at garnering wide GOP
support >> Read
More 3/23: Doubts Arise on Immigration Bill’s Chances House lawmakers stood before the television cameras on Thursday and hailed the introduction of a new measure to secure the border and move millions of undocumented immigrants toward citizenship >> Read More 3/26 MAPA/HML Statement on STRIVE ACT 3/22: LULAC Statement on STRIVE Act 3/22: SEIU Statement on STRIVE Act 3/22: NIF Statement on STRIVE Act 3/22: NCLR Statement on STRIVE Act April: Two Major Immigrant Legislative Confernec/Action in Washington D.C. 4/27-28 Washington D.C.: Detention Watch Network conference The 2007 DWN Conference is an opportunity for members to re-connect, re-energize and strengthen their collaboration. The need for focused public education, coordinated advocacy and resource-sharing has never been greater >> Read More 4/30-5/1 Washington D.C.: Organizations Call for Historic National APA Mobilization for Just and Humane Immigration Reform Organizations nationwide are calling for a national mobilization of Asian Pacific Americans (APAs) to Washington DC. On April 30 – May 1, 2007, this 2-day event will include community dialogues, legislative visits, and a rally in the Capital >> Read More 3/22: Recent Sign-On Letters
from Major Immigrant Organizations
For the past several weeks, several national immigrant organizations and coalitions had circulated their sign-on letters to promote their vision of the immigrant reform: March 2007: "Unity Bule Print" for Immigrtant Reform National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) 3/12-13 Advocacy Day Statement 3/5: Detention Watch Network Principle Sign-On Letter to the Congress 3/29 Illinois: Immigrant driver bill approved by House >> Read More 3/26 AZ: Immigration hawks seek to put two measures on Arizona's ballot Advocates for tougher border enforcement filed two proposed ballot measures in Arizona that would make it a state crime to knowingly hire those who sneak in the country and criminalize the presence of undocumented immigrants in the state >> Read More 3/27 Morristown, NJ: City council endorses immigrant crackdown The Morristown Council voted 6-1 tonight to endorse the mayor's effort to get the town's police deputized as federal immigration officers despite a protest by hundreds of people >> Read More 3/1: NO TO DREAM ACT[Somos Raza] We the undersigned youth and student led organizations do not recognize the measures that congress tries to impose on us without consulting with us, and without a dialogue. We are opposed to a DREAM ACT that will send us to war forcibly. You do not speak in our name. Our dream will not be a nightmare! >> Read More 2/25: Citizenship requests soar before changes Citizenship applications are skyrocketing in Southern California and across the nation, as green card holders rush to avoid a proposed fee increase, a revised civics test and possible changes in immigration law >> Read More 2/23: Urge Congress to Support Hate Crimes Prevention Act This legislation brings much needed uniformity to federal hate crime laws and reflects the growing support for stronger hate crime legislation on the state level. State and federal governments should not tolerate any form of bias-motivated violence >> Read More 2/22: ‘Immigrants Bring Crime’ Is a Myth Government and academic studies prove decisively that the common belief that immigrants, especially undocumented ones, bring criminality is based on a big lie >> Read More Jan 29, 2007 Washigton
D.C. Congressional Lobby Organized by: National Immigrant Solidarity Network On Monday, January 29, a group of us, representatives from San Francisco La Raza Legal Centro, National Organization of Women, veterans and I met with Speaker Nancy Pelosi's staff on immigration and present our open letter and exchanges ideas on the immigration issues. In addition, thank you for everyone who had visited and call your representatives at the Call-In day, at dozen states. >> Read the Congressional Lobby Day Report More Details | More Information About the Open Letter | Endorse the Letter
1/1/07: Getting Ready for the 110th Congress-An Analysis National Immigration Forum The 109th Congress concluded with no further mischief created on immigration policy. In fact, the Congress did not even complete the minimum work for which they are responsible-passing the government's budget-instead funding most of the government in a "continuing resolution" until February 15, 2007, and handing off the responsibility to the 110th Congress. Since the election, Members of Congress have been busy re-organizing themselves. While the details of who will chair the subcommittees are still being finalized, the broad-stroke picture is that immigration restrictionists will be in a weaker position in the 110th Congress. The hard-line restrictionists who were in a position to block immigration reform-in the House in particular-have either been booted out of office or, by virtue of the Republicans' loss of control of the House and thus of the Committees, have been demoted. While the opponents of comprehensive reform have been demoted, it is still, basically, a 50-50 Congress representing a 50-50 country. Comprehensive immigration reform will not come easily. Any sound immigration legislation that might pass must have bi-partisan support. Republican divisions on immigration have been much in the news until now because Republicans held the reigns of power. Now that the Democrats are in charge, divisions in their ranks will come under the magnifying glass. To pass comprehensive reform, the Democratic leadership will need Republican votes. As with just about any issue, any legislation that stands a chance of enactment will require compromise. Still, there is a window of opportunity for comprehensive reform. Both the House and Senate leadership (as well as the President) are now talking about comprehensive immigration reform being a priority. If actually treated as a priority, there could be action prior to the time, later in the year, when Presidential politics complicates the immigration debate. >> Read More AFTER NOVEMBER 7, 2006: The Mid-Term Elections and Immigration [The Immigrant Legal Resource Center] The November mid-term election was a repudiation of the Republican majority and a strong protest against the status quo -- whatever the status quo voters were registering their opposition to: the war in Iraq, Congressional corruption, the economy, or terrorism. And this mid-term election was largely focused on national, not local, issues. Immigration Not A Wedge Issue: Republican leadership tried, but failed, to make immigration the wedge issue that would ensure their continued control of Congress after aggressively promoting an enforcement-only measure (H.R.4437) as their solution to reforming our broken immigration system. In fact, exit polling as reported by the Washington Post found that fewer than one in three cited immigration 'as extremely important in influencing their decision, and they only narrowly favored Republican candidates. About six in 10 voters said that they believe illegal immigrants working in the United States should be offered a chance to apply for legal status'.. Democratic candidates won support from 61 percent of those who backed a path to citizenship, according to the poll. Election Results: As a result of this election, aÿsignificant number of candidates were defeated who, given their records, would have supported anti-immigrant and anti-immigration measures in the new 110th Congress that will convene next January. Who were they? Minuteman Randy Graf (R-AZ -- who ran for the seat of retiring Representative Jim Kolbe); J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ), John Hostettler (R-IN -- the chair in the 109th Congress of the House Immigration Subcommittee), Chris Chocola (R-IN), Anne Northup (R-KY), Melissa Hart (R-PA), Bob Beauprez (R-CO -- who lost his race for Governor), Charles Taylor (R-NC), Gil Gutknecht (R-MN), and Richard Pombo (R-CA). Many of those defeated are members of the so-called Immigration Reform Caucus (headed by Representative Tom Tancredo (R-CO)) whose ranks have been reduced by the results of this mid-term election. >> Read 11/10: Focus on Election Results [Immigration News Briefs] Voters Reject Many Anti-Immigrant Campaigns; Georgia: Republicans Gain, Voters Split; Arizona Vote: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly; Colorado Vote: More Ballot Initiatives; Election Results Elsewhere: A Mixed Bag >> Read 11/10: In Arizona, Minutemen lost more than House hopeful on Election Day [Arizona Daily Star] Despite the Minutemen's all-out effort to get Republican Graf into the congressional seat vacated by fellow Republican Jim Kolbe, their man lost his bid - in a Republican-dominated district - to Democrat Gabrielle Giffords >> Read Press Release: “The Surprise Winner of this Year’s Election Is…Comprehensive Immigration Reform” by the National Immigration Forum
Washington Times: Bush Eyes Democrats for Help on Amnesty
10/18: Bush Signs the Detainee Bill - Welcome to Martial Law? BUSH SIGNS THE
MILITARY COMMISSIONS ACT: CCR CALLS IT A BLOW TO DEMOCRACY AND THE
CONSTITUTION
The new law strips the right of non-citizens to seek review of their detention by a court through the filing of a writ of habeas corpus, the venerated legal instrument that for centuries has protected people from arbitrary detention, disappearance and indefinite detention without charge. The Act is also meant to erase the hundreds of habeas corpus petitions that CCR and others have brought on behalf of many of the 450 men being held at Guantánamo Bay, a move already once denied by the Supreme Court. >> Read Articles, Analysis: 10/17: Detainee
bill a step backwards (Denver Post Opinion) 9/30: Anti-Immigrant/Border
Fence Bills Passed
Lessons we should learn, and what is our next stage of the struggle? Despite repeat appeal from the activists, the U.S. Senate, approved the outrageous and racist detainee bill (S. 3930) and another multi-billion dollars for immoral war in Iraq and Afghanistan (H.R.5631). At the House, they passed the wire tap bill (H.R. 5825) and several other anti-immigrant bills (H.R. 4844, H.R. 6089, H.R. 6090 and H.R. 6091). Recent U.S. House's Anti-Immigrant Legislation
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