Weighing 2010 immigration reform proposals with our values Powerpoint & Discussion adapted from the...
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- Slide 1
- Weighing 2010 immigration reform proposals with our values
Powerpoint & Discussion adapted from the Fair Immigration
Reform Movement
- Slide 2
- 1. Lay the Foundation for this Discussion 2. Explore the
Political Context for CIR in the Senate 3. Learn what has been
proposed in the Senate as well as the House of Representatives 4.
Look Ahead to the Full Debate in Congress 5.Get your organizations
input for key elements you feel must be included as well as cant
live with within a reform bill Goals for this Discussion
- Slide 3
- 1. Foundation for this Discussion a. CIRCs role in influencing
CIR at the national level a. CIRCs Principles for CIR b. What We
Stand to Win c. The Legislative Process
- Slide 4
- CIRCs role in influencing the Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Discussion CIRC Immigrant Organizing Committee Executive Committee
of FIRM Immigrant Organizing Committee Executive Committee of FIRM
Other field groups Other field groups Illinois Coalition for
Immigrant and Refugee Rights Other National Groups NCLR Americas
Voice Reform Immigration for America Decision making body The major
immigrant rights voice in the push to pass comprehensive
immigration reform
- Slide 5
- What We are Fighting For: 1. A Path to Citizenship 2. Family
Reunification 3. Worker Rights 4. Due Process /Fair Treatment by
Law Enforcement 5. Education & Opportunity 6. Immigrant
Integration 7. Protections for Refugees and Asylees CIRCs
Principles for CIR
- Slide 6
- We need CIR because there are millions of people who are
living, working, and raising families in the U.S., but they do not
have a path to citizenship. CIR will make a difference in their
lives AND CIR will build long-term political power What We Stand to
Win
- Slide 7
- How CIR will build power: Decreased fear of deportation fear
has been a barrier to organizing, so when that fear is diminished
there will be new potential for community engagement and collective
bargaining. Huge demographic/political shifts once immigrants have
access to citizenship and voting rights, well see the growth of a
powerful coalition of people of color and poor people.
- Slide 8
- The Legislative Process IDEA SENATE COMMITTEE debates, amends
and passes the Committees version of the bill HOUSE FLOOR debates,
amends and votes on the Committees bill BILL DRAFTED HOUSE
COMMITTEE debates, amends and passes the Committees version of the
bill SENATE FLOOR debates, amends and votes on the Committees bill
SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT SENATE FLOOR VOTE ON FINAL BILL HOUSE FLOOR
VOTE ON FINAL BILL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE negotiates and blends the
House and Senate versions into a final bill Where Are We In This
Process?
- Slide 9
- It is like building a house on a limited budget: The
Legislative Process but may not have enough resources to build it
We have an idea of what we want the house to be
- Slide 10
- It is like building a house on a limited budget: The
Legislative Process Our dream house might have a big porch, two
floors, five bedrooms and lots of windows...
- Slide 11
- It is like building a house on a limited budget: The
Legislative Process We negotiate with the builder and architect to
get as much as we can with our budget.
- Slide 12
- It is like building a house on a limited budget: The
Legislative Process But what if the house ends up being just a
tent? At what point is it NOT a house we want to live in? Would we
NOT want this shelter, even if its years before we have another
chance to build a house?
- Slide 13
- This fight will be a balancing act between: The Legislative
Process legalization and the reforms that will make our lives and
communities better bad provisions being pushed by anti-immigrant
forces and those in power
- Slide 14
- 2. Political Context for CIR in the Senate a. The CIR Debate in
2007 b. Whats Different This Time c. Our Senate Champions
- Slide 15
- The CIR Debate in 2007 In the Summer of 2007, the Senate
debated a bill had a path to citizenship as well as increased
enforcement. Since it was a compromise to begin with, the bill was
not the ideal starting point for the Senate debate. Then, a number
of amendments passed that made the final bill worse for immigrants.
Organizations struggled to decide whether to support the final bill
Despite all the compromises and inclusion of heavy enforcement
provisions, the right still rejected the bill The Bill Did Not Pass
in the Senate So we focused on changing the political reality for
the next Congress
- Slide 16
- And We DID!!! Whats Different This Time
- Slide 17
- President Obama supports progressive comprehensive immigration
reform. Well hold him to his campaign promises Democrats are in the
majority in the Senate. 59 votes (including Independents who caucus
w/ Dems) Some members of Congress are re-energized. Whats Different
This Time
- Slide 18
- Now well talk about the two bills that have been introduced in
the Senate and House of Representatives, and who the important
people are to know in respect to these bills.
- Slide 19
- Sen. Reid (D-NV) is the Majority Leader in the U.S. Senate, and
has been a senator since 1986. He was a major player in moving the
immigration reform bill in 2007, and is again showing leadership in
crafting a bill this year. Reid is in the midst of a difficult
re-election campaign, but that isnt making him shy away from taking
a stand on immigration reform, and pressing other Democrats to also
show courage on this issue. The Cast of Characters in the
Senate
- Slide 20
- Sen. Schumer (D-NY) has a long history of supporting
immigration reform. During the IRCA debate, he was the key
architect of a compromise between the House and Senate that
included legalization for guest workers. This compromise made it
possible for the bill to move to the House floor for a vote. He was
originally working with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to craft a
bipartisan Senate bill. The Cast of Characters in the Senate
- Slide 21
- Sen. Menendez (D-NJ) is the son of immigrants and is currently
the only Latino in the Senate. Before being elected to the Senate
in 2006, he had served in the House of Representatives for more
than a decade, where he quickly rose to become the third-highest
ranking Democrat. He heads the Democratic Senatorial Campaign
Committee, so has a lot of power and influence with other Senators
because he leads the organization that helps them get elected. The
Cast of Characters in the Senate
- Slide 22
- Sen. Graham (R-SC) has been a Senator since 2002, and he
supported comprehensive immigration reform bills in both 2006 and
2007. In 2007, Graham challenged his own party, saying: We are
going to solve this problem. We're not going to run people down.
We're not going to scapegoat people. We're going to tell the bigots
to shut up, and we're going to get this right. Sen. Graham was
originally working with Sen. Schumer on a bipartisan bill, but
recently withdrew his support for moving a bill this year and has
made public statements against CIR and in favor of an
enforcement-first approach. The Cast of Characters in the
Senate
- Slide 23
- Sen. McCain (R-AZ) has served in the U.S. Senate since 1986. In
2007, he was the primary Republican champion for comprehensive
immigration reform. However, his position has recently shifted
against reform. He has come out against comprehensive immigration
reform, and spoken in favor of both an enforcement-first approach
and Arizonas racial profiling law. The Cast of Characters in the
Senate
- Slide 24
- 2. Political Context for CIR in the Senate What do you think of
the political context were in? What do you think about the
political context next year, after the 2010 elections? How does the
potential for compromise on immigration reform policies make you
feel?
- Slide 25
- 3. What Reid, Schumer & Menendez are Proposing a. Policy
Overview b. Identifying what are the critical elements WE NEED in
the bill a. And what are the bad elements that, if included, will
make us give up all the good stuff and walk away from the bill
- Slide 26
- Policy Overview On April 29, 2010, Senators Reid, Schumer &
Menendez released a proposal for immigration reform that will be
the basis of a bill they are writing. Their proposal had the
following six sections: 1.Achieving Operational Control of Americas
Borders to Prevent Future Illegal Immigration 2.Detection,
Apprehension, and Removal of Unlawfully Present Persons in the
United States 3.Ending Illegal Employment through Biometric
Employment Verification 4.Reforming Americas Legal Immigration
System to Maximize American Economic Prosperity 5.Mandatory
Registration, Acceptance of Responsibility, and Administration of
Punishment for Unauthorized Aliens Presently in the United States
6.Reforms Designed to Enhance Efficiency and Effectiveness in
Americas Immigration System
- Slide 27
- Policy Overview 1. Achieving Operational Control of Americas
Borders to Prevent Future Illegal Immigration Summary: Sets
benchmarks for border security (increased border patrol agents,
increased technology, etc.) AND requires that benchmarks be reached
before any legalization program can begin Increases resources for
immigration courts to expedite removal of unlawfully present
individuals Other proposals that further fortify border enforcement
Whats GOOD: Focuses ICE and other enforcement programs on criminal
activities and border crossers Creates a Border Community Liaison
Office Increases environmental protections at the border Prohibits
states/cities from enacting laws that undermine federal
(immigration) policies Major CONCERNS / CRITICISMS: The benchmarks
need to be minimally defined, and there must be commitment that the
benchmarks will not move to further delay triggering legalization
Authorizes a border patrol auxiliary unit, deployment of National
Guard and other militaristic border security, without clarifying
the rules / regulations that would control them Not clear whether
undermining federal policies could apply to expanding access to
benefits Concern that increased enforcement and expedited removal
could lead to many people being deported before legalization
program starts after enforcement benchmarks are met
- Slide 28
- Policy Overview 2. Detection, Apprehension, and Removal of
Unlawfully Present Persons in the United States Summary: Variety of
proposals to increase internal (rather than border) capabilities to
detect, apprehend and remove persons without status Whats GOOD:
Minimum standards of detention but unclear if there will be
increased enforcement of standards Requires DHS to file Notice To
Appears with immigration court closest to where person was arrested
Victims of labor violations will have incentives to cooperate with
DOL investigators Increased data collection and monitoring of
287(g) programs Major CONCERNS / CRITICISMS: If these provisions go
into effect before legalization, large numbers of people who wold
be eligible for legalization will be deported Will people in jails
(as opposed to prisons) be subject to immigration checks? [worry
about possible expansion of Secure Communities] The proposal limits
transfers but only on the basis of childs welfare; broader criteria
needed Unclear what it means to encourage individuals here
illegally to depart voluntarily what are the incentives? Prison
sentences will be levied upon persons who use false documents,
could result in those currently using false documents to be not
only imprisoned, but also potentially deported prior to
legalization program Zero tolerance for illegal entry could be very
problematic.
- Slide 29
- Policy Overview 3. Ending Illegal Employment through Biometric
Employment Verification Summary: Creates new biometric social
security cards that all workers would be required to use to verify
eligibility for employment Whats GOOD: Card supposed to only be
used to verify work eligibility (other uses are unlawful) Increased
penalties for violating anti-discrimination protections The cards
electronic chips will not store medical information or global
positioning information; cards will only store name, date of birth,
social security number and biometric identifier Major CONCERNS /
CRITICISMS: Only non-citizens would be pay a fee for the new
biometric social security cards Creates possibility for private
sector providers to verify employee information: why farm this out
to for-profits, when local government offices will also have this
responsibility? Problems with reliability, enforcement and abuse in
E-Verify are likely to exist in new system Sets up an Employment
Verification Advisory Panel, but immigrant organizations not
included
- Slide 30
- Policy Overview 4. Reforming Americas Legal Immigration System
to Maximize American Economic Prosperity Summary: Provides a new
immigration path for foreign students studying Science, Technology,
Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) Strengthens anti-fraud provisions
in the H-1B temporary workers system Reforms H-2A and H-2B
temporary worker systems and adds a new H-2C category Whats GOOD:
Incorporates AgJOBS Increases protections against fraud for H1-B
workers, against employer fraud, and against abusive employers.
Unclear f there will be increased funding for enforcement of worker
protections Adds new H-2C visa for non-seasonal, non-agricultural
workers, with worker protections, portability after 1 year, and
path to LPR status Broadens elements of family-based immigration,
and raises per country limits Permits permanent partners of
citizens and LPRs to obtain LPR status Major CONCERNS / CRITICISMS:
Does not increase protections against abusive employers New
Commission on Employment-Based Immigration only makes
recommendations
- Slide 31
- Policy Overview 5. Mandatory Registration, Acceptance of
Responsibility, and Administration of Punishment for Unauthorized
Aliens Presently in the United States Summary: Establishes
legalization program, through a two-phase process: Phase 1: Lawful
Prospective Immigrant (LPI) status allows for work and travel Phase
2: adjust to Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status after backlog
clears (8 years) Whats GOOD: Incorporates DREAM Spouses and
children of LPIs who are living abroad would be eligible for
legalization Major CONCERNS / CRITICISMS: Are LPIs the first to
receive biometric social security cards? No description of the cost
of fees, penalties, etc. Need a narrower definition of what would
disqualify people from eligibility for LPI status (definition of
criminal convictions should exclude offenses based on immigrant
status) If not eligible after registering, will folks be deported?
Unclear exactly what the risks with registering might be, although
it state those that do not comply with the requirement to register
will be identified and removed. Unclear what happens if an LPI
doesnt meet the criteria for LPR (for example English language
skills). Will they remain in LPI status or be deported?
- Slide 32
- Policy Overview 6. Reforms Designed to Enhance Efficiency and
Effectiveness in Americas Immigration System Summary: Variety of
provisions to expand visa categories and make technical changes
Whats GOOD: Establishes extensive nationwide immigrant integration
programs BUT no details about what these programs will involve and
who will run them Major CONCERNS / CRITICISMS: None
- Slide 33
- What Gutierrez introduced in December a. Political Context for
the better bill b. What the bill includes
- Slide 34
- But wait! Hasnt a bill also been introduced in the House of
Representatives by Congressman Luis Gutierrez? The answer is yes.
In December of 2009, Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D- IL) introduced
a piece of legislation called CIR-ASAP. Congressman Gutierrez has
been in office since 1993 and is in a very safe, liberal district.
His CIR-ASAP legislation, which was co- sponsored by Colorado
Congressmen Polis, Perlmutter and Salazar and Congresswoman
Degette, marks the most pro-immigrant any legislation will likely
get in our current political context.
- Slide 35
- So whats happening with the better bill? Congresswoman Nancy
Pelosi, the current speaker of the House of Representatives where
Gutierrez introduced his bill, is arguably the most powerful member
of the House of Representatives. She has committed to work hard to
pass immigration reform only if the Senate moves first. Why?
Members of the House of Representatives are more vulnerable than
Senators, since they face election races every two years as opposed
to every six as Senators are. Pelosi is only willing to put
vulnerable Democrats out there on a polarizing issue like
immigration if the Senate has taken the initiative first. While
CIR-ASAP is not moving, we can use its good provisions to influence
the forthcoming Senate bill.
- Slide 36
- What is in CIR-ASAP? There are six major areas that CIR-ASAP
seeks to address: 1.Border Security, Detention and Enforcement
2.Employment Verification 3.Visa Reforms 4.Earned Legalization
Program for the Undocumented 5.Strengthening Americas Workforce
6.Integration of New Americans
- Slide 37
- IDEA SENATE COMMITTEE debates, amends and passes the Committees
version of the bill HOUSE FLOOR debates, amends and votes on the
Committees bill BILL DRAFTED HOUSE COMMITTEE debates, amends and
passes the Committees version of the bill SENATE FLOOR debates,
amends and votes on the Committees bill SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT
SENATE FLOOR VOTE ON FINAL BILL HOUSE FLOOR VOTE ON FINAL BILL This
is only the beginning The Political Context There is more work (and
more compromises) to come CONFERENCE COMMITTEE negotiates and
blends the House and Senate versions into a final bill
- Slide 38
- The Political Context We Are Ready for a Long, Hard Fight! Huge
Growth in Our Online and Cellphone Lists More than 200,000 March
for America Meetings w/ the Obama Administration November National
Call w/ more than 1000 house parties
- Slide 39
- The Political Context Because we know The Debate Will Not Be
Easy & A Final Bill Will Not Be Perfect
- Slide 40
- The Political Context The CIR Debate Will Not Be Easy The
debate over healthcare has shown that even with a Democratic
majority in both the House and Senate, President Obama faces strong
and powerful opposition to his reform agenda. The anti-immigrant
forces who generated 10 calls against CIR for every one call for
CIR in 2006 and 2007 are gearing up for another fight, and they are
already using the economic recession to undercut support for
legalization.
- Slide 41
- The Political Context A Final Bill Will Not Be Perfect
Compromise is an inevitable part of the legislative process. So the
final bill will be a compromise between what we want, and what our
opposition will stomach. Our challenge is to balance being both
principled enough to demand what is best for our communities AND
practical enough to get the best path to citizenship that we can.
Through discussion out of this power point, we hope to develop
CIRCs bottom line. Our bottom line is not our public stance, was we
will continue to push for a better bill, but it is important for us
to know in the end where we are willing to go and where we will
draw the line so we can make our voices heard in the process.
- Slide 42
- Discuss Our Views What has to be in a bill for you to support
it and what components, if included in a bill, will make you want
to reject the bill as a whole? What is our strategy for our bottom
line? (Do we advertise that we are willing to take a tent, if we
are, or do we push for our dream house and strategically negotiate
as needed?)