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Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Comprehensive Immigration Reform. January 16, 2013. In DuPage County. Immigrants in Dupage County by the numbers 18.4% of population is foreign-born (172,000) 56.6% of immigrants are naturalized citizens Top countries of origin: Mexico Poland India Philippines China

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Comprehensive Immigration Reform

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  1. Comprehensive Immigration Reform January 16, 2013

  2. In DuPage County Immigrants in Dupage County by the numbers • 18.4% of population is foreign-born (172,000) • 56.6% of immigrants are naturalized citizens • Top countries of origin: • Mexico • Poland • India • Philippines • China • 525,000 immigrants undocumented in Illinois

  3. Core Programs of WRDA • Immigrant Legal Services • Refugee Resettlement Services • Education Services

  4. Agenda • Current status of pending legislation • Need for Advocacy • What World Relief is doing

  5. Who Can Practice Immigration Law? • Attorneys • Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) Accredited Representatives

  6. BIA Accreditation Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) • Part of U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) • Appellate body for immigration court cases • Grants agency recognition and individual accreditation to practice immigration law 8 CFR § 292.2

  7. Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law Exploitation of Immigrants • Immigration scams • “Notarios” • Congressman Foster: “Protecting Immigrants from Legal Exploitation” Well-intentioned friends • Do not understand legal processes • Not aware of the potential consequences for immigrants

  8. Comprehensive Immigration Reform CIR

  9. Comprehensive Immigration Reform Earned Legalization Border Enforcement Existing Law Changes

  10. CIR in the US Senate • Gang of Eight • Senate Bill S 744 • Hoeven-Corker Amendment • Passed out of Senate 68-32 on 6/27/13

  11. Enforcement Reality Check* • Illegal crossings are at a 40-year low • $17 Billion being spent each year • There are currently 21,370 border patrol agents (3 times the 1995 level) • In 2011 more Mexicans left the US than entered • Deportations at an all-time high Enforcement *Wall Street Journal, May 3, 2013, page A14

  12. Existing Law Changes • Family Modifications • Elimination of sibling petitions • Positive fixes for spouses/minor kids of LPRs • Workers’ Visas • Expands high-skilled visas • Temporary worker visas including portability • Labor/market commission sets numbers • Merit-Based System • Refugees and Asylum Seekers • Gives legal status to stateless people • Eliminates 1-year deadline for asylum filing Existing Law Changes

  13. Earned Legalization – part 1 • Registered Provisional Immigrant (RPI) • Must have been in U.S. by January 1, 2012 • Fines/fees must be paid at each step • First RPI status is for 6 years, is renewable • After 10 years can apply for Lawful Permanent Resident if enforcement goals are met • Must have LPR for 3 years to apply for citizenship • English requirement for citizenship • Ineligibility • Certain criminal grounds & immigration violations Earned Legalization

  14. Earned Legalization – part 2 • DREAM Act • Brought to U.S. before age 16 • No age cap • Must have been in U.S. by January 1, 2012 • First step is to apply for RPI status; through “streamlined procedures” • After 5 years of RPI status may apply for Lawful Permanent Residency • Must have LPR for 1 year to apply for citizenship • English requirement for citizenship Earned Legalization

  15. Immigration Reform in the House - 1 • Speaker Boehner/Republican majority against comprehensive bill • Comprehensive Approach vs. Comprehensive Bill • Republicans trying to release a set of principles before the State of the Union on January 28 • Border security and interior enforcement • Worker verification system for employers • Earned “status” – not clear on citizenship • Visa reform and visa tracking

  16. Immigration Reform in the House - 2 • 5 Separate Bills so far • Passed out of Committee • SAFE Act • Border Security Results Act • SKILLS Visa Act • Legal Workforce Act • Agricultural Guest-worker (Ag) Act • None address earned legalization • Non-negotiable with Democrats/Senate

  17. Immigration Reform in the House - 3 • Timeline • No immigration bills on the floor • Awaiting “principles” from Republican Leadership • Likely timeframe for further action is around April 2014 • Threats • No pathway to citizenship in current bills • Enforcement first (only) • Partisanship could block progress

  18. Advocacy • Why • Christians • Our faith calls us to treat foreigners living among us as foreign-born (Lev. 19:34), to advocate for those without a voice (Prov. 31:8), and pray for those in positions of authority (1Tim 2:2) • 2) Americans • Our responsibility as citizens to participate in the political process so that government is “by the people” • Our Representatives represent us  • No Public Support for CIR = No CIR

  19. Advocacy • Who • Anyone and everyone • Churches, small groups, businesses, individuals • U.S. Representatives in IL • Especially Republicans • WRDA’s area = • Reps. Roskam – generally opposed, seeing some change • Hultgren– supports some elements, especially DREAM • Duckworth – generally supportive to incremental approach • Quigley – supportive; advocating for full LGBT rights • Foster – very supportive of Comprehensive

  20. Advocacy • What • That our Representatives work together in a bipartisan manner • That damaging provisions of the “Safe Act” be corrected • That earned legalization or “path to citizenship” is included • That “enforcement” not delay justice for native and foreign born • Republicans: That they move this forward onto the legislative agenda in the House • Democrats: That they will not block passage of key provisions if a comprehensive bill is not an option

  21. Advocacy • How • Become educated • Personal contact • Hand-written/form letters • Post cards • Phone calls / voice mails • Email • Meet with elected officials – Quigley, Roskam, Duckworth • Partner with World Relief

  22. Involvement • What WRDA is doing? • The Evangelical Immigration Table • Holding DACA/Citizenship workshops for those eligible • Involving volunteers in service and advocacy • Presenting informational sessions (English and Spanish) • Working to build capacity • Using volunteers for efficiency • Helping churches become “document preparation” sites • Adding legal reps as funding allows

  23. Advocacy • Resources • Pray4Reform: www.pray4reform.org • Evangelical Immigration Table: www.evangelicalimmigrationtable.org • I was a Stranger Challenge: www.welcomingthestranger.com

  24. Principles of Immigration Reform • Respects the God-given dignity of every person • Protects the unity of the immediate family • Respects the rule of law • Guarantees secure national borders • Ensures fairness to taxpayers • Establishes a path toward legal status and/or citizenship for those who qualify and who wish to become permanent residents www.evangelicalimmigrationtable.org

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