Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Quiet, Not Dead
With the nation's attention still focused on health care, it may seem like comprehensive immigration reform has been swept under the rug. Don't worry--it may be quiet right now, but CIR is not dead. This past week members of Congress have shown us that immigration reform legislation is still on the agenda.
Last week, Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) outlined the components of a comprehensive immigration reform bill he is expected to introduce in the House.
"We simply cannot wait any longer for a bill that keeps our families together, protects our workers and allows a pathway to legalization for those who have earned it. It is time we had a workable plan making its way through Congress that recognizes the vast contributions of immigrants to this country and that honors the American Dream. I am preparing such a plan, and will introduce it in the near future."
His legislation will include the following core principles:
- Pathway to legalization for undocumented workers
- Professional and effective border enforcement
- Smart and humane interior enforcement
- Protecting workers
- Verification systems
- Family unity as a cornerstone of our immigration system
- Future flows of workers
- AgJOBS
- DREAM Act
- Promoting immigrant integration
The complete set of core principles with full descriptions can be found in Rep. Gutierrez's press release.
While Rep. Gutierrez does not specifically mention the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) or Reuniting Families Act in his speech, he is an original cosponsor of the UAFA and is a strong supporter of same-sex rights. This component of immigration reform has not been forgotten.
Just this week, Rep. Mike Honda, sponsor of the Reuniting Families Act, and Sen. Patrick Leahy and Rep. Jerrold Nadler, sponsors of the UAFA, asked their colleagues to remember the importance of keeping families together.
In Monday's Roll Call, Rep. Honda wrote about the consequences of delaying immigration reform and the importance of keeping families together:
"With anti-immigration sentiment holding the health care debate hostage, we cannot afford to delay comprehensive immigration reform any longer.
Our family-based immigration system has not been updated in 20 years; with nearly 6 million people stuck in a perpetual wait, this is both insufferable and inexcusable.
Failure is simply not feasible. We must seize every opportunity this year to get our economy back on track, and one clear way of doing so is to reunite America's workers with their families."
The next day, Sen. Leahy and Rep. Nadler's op-ed piece appeared in The Hill. The congressmen focused on the discrimination of same-sex couples under current immigration laws, and the pair urged Congress to incorporate UAFA legislation into comprehensive immigration reform:
"There are an estimated 36,000 other couples in America that face the same tortured predicament, in which one member of a same-sex couple is not a citizen and cannot be sponsored by his or her U.S. citizen partner for residence. There is no lawful manner for a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to apply for a family-based visa for his or her partner if they are of the same sex. Our laws break apart these couples for no reason other than that they are of the same gender. This is unjust, cruel and unnecessary.
This issue is about civil rights, not about same-sex marriage, domestic partnerships or civil unions. To fix this problem, we need not re-open same-sex marriage laws; we simply need to modify our immigration laws to treat bi-national couples equally."
Read both articles: Keep Our Families Together--Reform Immigration Laws and Pass the Uniting American Families Act.
Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images
Comments
One thing that should be addressed in this reform is how to get all of the stolen social security numbers back so Latino American’s or American’s no longer have to deal with a stolen identity. When someone else uses your social security number it compromises your ability to take care of your family especially when they purchase an house or car under your name.
Our government needs to prove to the American workers that they mean what they say? That means secure borders and interior immigration enforcement. E-Verify is part of nationwide enforcement, a tool that has caused hysteria amongst the open border demagogues. E-verify was nearly sold out by Sen. Harry Reid , Nancy Pelosi , Rep. Joe Baca (D-Calif.) and even Janet Napolitano. But this time they failed to arrest it’s capability to remove E-Verify from the Parthenon of tools, that addresses the illegal immigration invasion. Brought into the spotlight by Senator Sessions, they Democratic leadership were unable to sink it beyond the enlightened eyes of the attentive public. As with the 1986 Immigration control and reform bill, those anti-sovereignty organizations have–NEVER–tried to–ENFORCE–the law. THROW ALL THESE ANTI-SOVEREIGNTY LAWMAKERS OUT WHEN RUNNING FOR OFFICE AGAIN.
So now those catering to big business are repeatedly saying its broken. like any immigration enforcement laws, Democrats and Republicans alike over decades have refused to enforce the border. A new survey conducted by Rasmussen Reports reveals that 56% of Americans say that federal immigration policies encourage illegal immigration, and 64% believe that local law enforcement should conduct raids in places where illegal aliens gather to find work. Only 19% opposed the raids compared to 24% who opposed such raids back in April. Another condemnation by faith groups is Sen. Chuck Schumer’s attempt to claim overwhelming evangelical Christian support for his pending amnesty legislation has crumbled. His master plan was to use the staff and leadership of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) to give the impression of near unanimity.
The NAE tried. But after the members in the pew erupted, only 11 of the 40 NAE member denominations have been willing to sign on to endorse amnesty and Schumer’s “comprehensive immigration reform” agenda. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) offered an amendment to the Commerce, Justice and Science (CSJ) appropriations bill that would have prevented CSJ funds from going to cities or localities with “sanctuary” policies (i.e., those cities that prohibit their police officers from assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement, refuse to report criminal illegal aliens, and act as safe havens for illegal aliens). The paranoid Senators voted 61-38 to table the amendment (effectively killing it), with at least one of your Senators voting against the amendment. Unfortunately these are SANCTUARY STATES such as California that is now submerged under massive financial debt, a large portion caused by the millions of illegal families living of state welfare. Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA) yesterday introduced a bill that would ensure all citizens and U.S. residents–INCLUDING–illegals immigrants — are counted in the US Census.
This included Sen. DeMint amendment to construct the original–DOUBLE LAYER–fence, authored originally by Rep.Duncan Hunter, which like most approved laws are hastily thrashed in cloaked conferences pandering to corporate cartels and pro-illegal immigrant lobbyists. Thanks to the open border groups our border defenses comprises of a single layer barrier, with large areas of nothing to halt illegal criminals, drug peddlers, uninhibited terrorists and scores of illegal aliens with families from entering America. Sanctuary policies encourage illegal immigration by sending a signal across the world that anyone who manages to enter the United States will be able to stay here as long as they wish – regardless of their status – because our government lacks the will to enforce its own laws. These illegal policies have contributed to our current illegal immigration debacle and are an embarrassment to the country.
Call and blast your Senators and Representative at 202-224-3121 in Washington. Overwhelming the switchboard with your calls, as it is having an outstanding effect of–MILLIONS of angry voters. INFORM THEM DO YOUR DUTY OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES ON RE-ELECTION DAY? Tell them you want a PERMANENT E-Verify for–EVERY WORKER, a secure double layer fence and–REAL–enforcement against sanctuary state policies. Read undisclosed facts at NUMBERSUSA. UNEARTH the corruption at JUDICIAL WATCH. Your voice is needed to halt OVERPOPULATION and American Worker survival. Demand NO-MORE-AMNESTIES. Go home and come through the front door, like millions of legal immigrants?
I have been married for 5 years to an illegal that has lived in the USA for almost 30 years. I tried to “legalize” him. I do have a lawyer. I feel that no matter what lawyer a person has, it is in the hands of the US Federal Judge. I feel that ALL US Federal judges want ALL illegals OUT of the USA, no matter their circumstances.
When I applied for my husband’s “legalization”, I was younger and healthier. Now, here I am, a senior citizen, in worse health and I am afraid that this will go against his legalization. We go to court on Dec. 9. I guess I will be ready for being exiled from the USA but that will be okay, as long as I can be with my husband.
Neither he nor I have any criminal record. We both work and pay taxes. Yes, PAY taxes. We have no children. We don’t depend on the government at all. I am working to pay for my hospital bills.
I wish my husband could get amnesty but I feel that exile is in our future.
I want this problem with illegal immigration to end but massive deportations are not the answer even though they are doable.
1.- Border Security.
2.-Interior Enforcement.
3.-No Anchor Babies.
4.-Path to legalization though not citizenship!
5.-Work permits to the illegals that didn`t break any other laws.
6.- Pay back taxes.
7.-Get a Driver`s license.
8.-Pay auto Insurance.
9.-Be allowed to travel to their countries of origin so they stay connected to their homeland and eventually go back!
10.-If an american company wants to give them employment for 20-30 yrs it is ok, just go back afterwards.
Yes The Illegal Immigration thing needs fixed for Sure , Every body Talks Comprehensive reforme but I haven’t seen any Pro Illegal Giving up anything except more , more ,more , but ya Know what the 287g Works an all the Pro Illegal are crying Profilling but ya know what it works thats why there Crying , yes Something has to be done for LegalAmericanFolks.com
The Uniting American Families Act (S. 424, H.R. 1024) is a vital element of Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Tens of thousands of families, including mine, are discriminated against by the current immigration laws because, as same-sex, bi-national couples, we are not recognized by our federal government as families. The result is that those of us who are the American citizen halves of these bi-national couples are not able to sponsor our partners for immigration purposes. My partner should be able to legally be by my side here in the United States immediately as my fiancee and partner of 4.5 years. Together we have two beautiful dogs and a home. And yet here I am, and she is in Europe. Please support the passage of the Uniting American Families Act and its inclusion in Comprehensive Immigration Reform!
Imigrants needs to drive a car and need a driving license ,and if you do not have a license it`s very hard to have a job to live decent.A lot family sufering because have cildren and have mor then 5 yers in to usa.You tell us sommebody care about imigrants but the goverment take the privilege to drive a car.I steel pray to God for my family and i have a fine thought.In God we trust!
BRITTANCUS why don’t you STOP THE HATE and once and for all you behave like an AMERICAN! we all know you are a minuteman and against any immigration changes.
Your messages are all over the internet that lack of bsubstance and any intelect but only fear…………..
Im planning on marrying my fiance and he is not a citizen. He is on a working visa and has been in the usa since 1994. They should make it easier for immigrants to get there green cards and let them become citizens. Dont know why it takes so long when they are just trying to make a family and live a normal life!!!!!
southern CA is the #1 sanctuary state for illegal mexican immigrants. following CA will impact ur everyday citizens at the home level. to understand this watch this hidden video, & don’t let this happen to ur communities youtube.com/watch?v=5dha5A9vsdk …these illegals r not ur educated, law abiding, god fearing upper middle-class folk! they’re the scum of the earth, morally bankrupt, desperate low-life’s. they r brazen beyond belief. once in ur communities they travel to upscale neighborhoods to prowl ur streets, come into ur yard digging in ur trash cans for cans, ss & credit card numbers. police will not respond & if u tell them to get off ur property u r at risk of being attacked or killed. waste no time in demanding that city officials enforce trespassing laws! good luck.