Presentation Transcript

1. Open Classroom Policy Series Session 13: December 5th Policy Advice to the President Immigration Eva Millona Executive Director, Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition Robert Hedlund Massachusetts State Senate Jeff Jacoby Boston Globe columnist School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs | Northeastern University
2. Advising the President on Fundamental Immigration Reform Eva A. Millona Executive Director Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition
3. www.miracoalition.org Fundamental Immigration Reform Immigration in the U.S. and Mass.
4. www.miracoalition.org Fundamental Immigration Reform Foreign-born Origins: U.S. and Mass. United States Massachusetts
5. Economic Perspective A fundamental reform that would include a pathway to citizenship would add $1.5 trillion to the GDP over 10 years. A temporary worker program with no path to citizenship would add $792 million to the GDP, about half as much as reform. Mass deportation would result in $2.6 trillion in lost GDP over 10 years. At the current rate of 400,000 deportations/year, it would take 27.5 years and cost approximately $165 billion to deport all the undocumented immigrants currently in the country. Policy Perspective Current immigration law is antiquated and based on a 1986 reform that does not reflect today’s immigration or economic position. Family Values Perspective Potentially legalize 11 million undocumented immigrants who are currently living in the shadows Legalizing immigrant workers would protect honest employers from being undercut by unscrupulous competitors seeking to drive down wages by hiring undocumented workers. 396,906 families separated in 2011 through deportation. 1,087 families separated each day! www.miracoalition.org Fundamental Immigration ReformWhy do we need it?
6. 2012 Public Opinion Polls on Fundamental Immigration Reform: Fundamental Immigration ReformPublic Opinion
7. We are a nation of immigrants - In 2008, Barack Obama became the first person elected president while losing the white vote by double digits. In 2012, Hispanics were for the first time a double-digit portion of the turnout. America is Assimilated - The immigrant vote played a major role in the 2012 election, but in addition to immigration, major issues are consistent with other voters focusing on the economy and healthcare. Minority is becoming the Majority - A presidential campaign can no longer win without the immigrant vote. www.miracoalition.org Fundamental Immigration Reform What did we learn from the 2012 Elections?
8. “Latino Voters In Election 2012 Help Sweep Obama To Reelection”(Huffington Post, Nov. 7) “Analysis: Romney Done in by GOP's Latino Problem”(ABC News, Nov. 8) “A Record Latino Turnout, Solidly Backing Obama”(NY Times, Nov 7) “Republican Party’s Snub of Latinos Puts Obama Back in White House”(BBC, Nov 8) “Immigration reform could be on new Congress’ agenda”(Boston Globe, Nov 12) FUNDAMENTAL IMMIGRATION REFORM 2012 Election Headlines
9. 218House Votes (total 435) 51 Senate Votes (total 100) 1Presidential Signature www.miracoalition.org Fundamental Immigration ReformWhat will it take to pass?
10. Create a bipartisan task force in partnership with the Hispanic Caucus, the Asian Pacific American Caucus and the Black Caucus Assign a key White House liaison to partner and strategize with stakeholders to determine immigration priorities and timeline. www.miracoalition.org Fundamental Immigration Reform Internal Advice for the President
11. Keeping families together through a path to citizenship. The current immigration system separates hundreds of thousands of families through policies that have not been updated in 20 years. We must end this morally indefensible crisis by creating a path to citizenship for all hardworking immigrants. Family preference. FIRM strongly supports a family preference immigration system and enough visas to reunite families separated by bureaucracy and discriminatory quotas. Return to families. Family members who have been deported must have the opportunity to return to be with their family. Worker program that serves families. We must develop a migrant worker program that serves the interests of migrant workers, native-born workers, and their families, not just employers, and employers that have abused the broken system for years should be penalized. www.miracoalition.org Fundamental Immigration Reform Legislative Advice for the President
12. Humane treatment. We will continue to aggressively push for accountability, humane treatment, and due process in the violent and abusive border and detention systems that have grown exponentially and wastefully in the last decade. Racial justice. We demand an end to Secure Communities and other immigration enforcement programs that lead to racial profiling and harm the fabric of local communities. Immigrant Integration.  FIRM strongly supports the establishment of a national Office of Integration to develop and support integration policies that help immigrants achieve their full potential as active contributors to America's social, economic, and civic fabric.  Fundamental Immigration Reform Legislative Advice for the President
13. Eva A. Millona Executive Director (617) 350-5480 x211 emillona@miracoalition.org Thank You! 105 Chauncy Street, 9th Floor, Boston, MA
14. Open Classroom Policy Series Session 13: December 5th Policy Advice to the President Immigration Eva Millona Executive Director, Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition Robert Hedlund Massachusetts State Senate Jeff Jacoby Boston Globe columnist School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs | Northeastern University
15. Climate: Challenges and Solutions Open Classroom Series Spring 2013 Climate: Challenges and Solutions Wednesday evenings, 6:00 to 8:00pm January 9th – April 17th West Village F, Room 20
16. Open Classroom Policy Series Session 13: December 5th Policy Advice to the President Wrap Up Session Leveraging the Power of the Presidency Michael Dukakis Former Governor of Massachusetts; 1988 Democratic nominee for President Robert DeLeo Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives Setti Warren Mayor of Newton Sonia Chang-Diaz Massachusetts State Senate School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs | Northeastern University