Although advocates had been hopeful that the new Congress would act quickly to revive stalled efforts at reforming our nation’s broken immigration system, neither the House nor the Senate has yet taken up a comprehensive immigration bill and, unfortunately, the President is moving the in wrong direction with his latest proposal.  Like last year, the Senate was expected to take leadership on the issue, but bipartisan negotiations have faltered due in large part to political positioning for the 2008 presidential election.  Thus, while hearings have been held by both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, only in the House has a comprehensive immigration bill, the STRIVE (Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy) Act (H.R.1645) been introduced.  There is still hope that a bill will be soon forthcoming from the Senate and Senate Majority Leader Reid has reserved the last part of May for consideration of immigration legislation, but it isn’t clear yet what that starting point for the Senate bill will be and little time remains for action this year given other legislative and political demands. The following provides a brief summary of current proposals and legislation.

 

The STRIVE Act (H.R. 1645)

 

Introduced by Representatives Flake (R-AZ) and Gutierrez (D-IL), the STRIVE Act represents the most comprehensive of the current immigration proposals.  Although not perfect, it is an important step forward and includes the elements needed to help fix the current broken system.  The STRIVE Act combines strong new enforcement requirements (border security, document security, and employment verification) with needed reforms to current visa programs and new temporary worker and legalization programs.  On the positive side, the bill includes strong labor protections for both immigrant and citizen workers, provides for family reunification, and offers an earned path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants—upon the satisfaction of a number of requirements. Concerns about the legislation center on the stringency of new enforcement measures, the “triggers” that must be met in order for the new worker and legalization to be implemented, and the “touchback” provision that requires undocumented persons wishing to adjust their status to exit and reenter the country before being able to apply for a green card.

 

The STRIVE Act currently has 52 co-sponsors, but it is not likely to be the bill moved forward in the House.  Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), chairwoman of the House Judiciary subcommittee with over immigration, has indicated that she hopes to develop her own bill and has been holding several hearings to gather information.  It is unlikely, though, that the House will move any legislation until the Senate takes action.

 

More detailed analyses of the STRIVE Act from the National Immigration Forum:

 

STRIVE Act “At a Glance” (PDF)

STRIVE ACT Section-by-Section Analysis (PDF)

 

The White House Proposal

 

Shortly after the STRIVE Act was introduced, a new White House immigration proposal was leaked to the press that has drawn sharp criticisms from the immigrant advocacy community. The key features of the new proposal include stronger enforcement and employment verification, a radical shift in current visa policies away from family preferences and reunification and toward merit-based point system, a time-limited temporary worker program with no path to citizenship and that prohibits family members from joining the workers, and an attempt to address situation of undocumented persons by providing them with an indefinite temporary status, imposing prohibitive fees, and making legalization virtually impossible. The President’s proposal also includes “triggers” that stipulate the border security and interior enforcement conditions that must be met before any of the additional reforms (visa, temporary worker, and the registration of undocumented persons) can take place. A marked departure from earlier statements by the President, the new proposal ignores the needs of separated families, provides inadequate protections for workers, and fails to offer a realistic path to citizenship.  Unfortunately, some of the President’s new ideas are gaining traction on Capitol Hill and have made negotiations in the Senate, in particular, much more difficult.

 

The National Immigration Forum has a brief summary (PDF) of the new White House proposal and the leaked outline is available from U.S. News and World Report (PDF).

 

What You Can Do

 

While it is encouraging that Congress and the White House are still working to address immigration reform, Good Shepherd input is needed to ensure that immigration reform gets passed in this Congress and that it remains true to our principles for just and humane legislation.  Please contact both the Administration and your Senators and Representatives and urge them to support comprehensive and compassionate immigration legislation that includes an earned legalization program with a path to citizenship, visa reforms to encourage family reunification and reduce backlogs, reasonable and effective border security and enforcement measures that respect human dignity and due process, strong protections for ALL workers, and fair and legal means to address future flows of immigration.

 

Call your Senators May 14-25 in support of comprehensive immigration reform!

Write a letter to your members of Congress about why comprehensive immigration reform is needed!

Participate in immigration dialogues being sponsored by Church World Service throughout the country!

 

Additional Resources

 

Justice for Immigrants—U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Interfaith Statement on Immigration (PDF)—Interfaith Immigration Coalition

Making the Case for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (PDF)—American Immigration Lawyer’s Association