As the Senate
Judiciary Committee continues the “mark up” process on S. 744, the Border
Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, we ask you to
join our Open Letter in which we urge the Committee to adhere to principles of human
rights, fairness and justice.
We are asking for
both individual and organizational endorsements of our Open Letter for Fair and
Just Immigration Reform. The letter will be sent to Judiciary Committee members
prior to the next scheduled mark-up day, May 20.
This endorsement form is
for individuals. If you would like to endorse as an individual, please click here. If you would like to endorse as an organization, please
click here. http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5702/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=14048
Deadline for
signatures: Midnight (Pacific Time),
Saturday, May 18.
The letter describes
our disappointment in the bill and calls for changes in a number of key areas,
reflecting long-held principles and positions in immigration policy. While we
are also supporting a number of amendments that would improve certain parts of
the legislation, we are very concerned and disagree with the continued emphasis
on border security, the shift from family to skills-based immigration, and the
overly long and tedious “path” to citizenship, among other issues.
Our communities need changes in the following
1.
Substantially improve the path to citizenship.
2.
Access to a green card should not be dependent
upon a “secure border”.
3.
The filing fees are too high.
4.
Maintain the core commitment to family
reunification as a criteria.
5.
Continue the Diversity Visa program.
6.
End the prioritization of increase in border
enforcement and militarization of the border.
7.
End the current immigration detention system.
8.
Ensure access to full labor protections and
labor rights.
9.
End the temporary worker programs as soon as
possible.
10. End
the enhanced deportation programs.
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