Causa, Allies to Hold Rally for Immigration Reform this Thursday in Portland

Causa, Allies to Hold Rally in Portland Calling on Congressman Walden to Take Action on Immigration Reform

Oregon Advocates take action as deadline looms for House Republicans to move on Immigration Reform

Portland, Ore. -- On June 26th,  members of Congressman Greg Walden (OR-R) staff will attend an event on his behalf at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.

Causa Oregon and allies will gather at the entrance of the Oregon Convention Center to call on Congressman Walden to be a leader in passing immigration reform that keeps families together and includes a path to citizenship.

The action on June 26th at the Oregon Convention Center comes just two days before the National Day to Stop Separating Families on Saturday where immigration reform advocates will take action in key Congressional districts across the nation. June 28th is the deadline that the national movement gave House Republicans to move forward on immigration reform legislation.  If House Republicans fail to meet the deadline, advocates will call for the White House to take immediate executive action to halt deportations. 

“Time is running out for Congressman Walden and House Republicans to take action on immigration reform,” said Andrea Miller, Executive Director of Causa Oregon. “The longer they delay, the more families are separated every day due to deportations nationwide.  The time is now for House Republicans to take action.”

RALLY TO URGE CONGRESSMAN WALDEN TO TAKE LEADERSHIP IN PASSING IMMIGRATION REFORM

DATE: Thursday, June 26th, 2014

TIME: 4:30pm – 6:00pm

LOCATION:

Oregon Convention Center Entrance

777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Portland, OR 97232

Co-sponsors of Thursday's action include: Causa Oregon, Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO), VOZ Workers’ Rights Education Project, Center for Intercultural Organizing (CIO), Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (Northwest Treeplanters and Farmworkers United) PCUN, Oregon Latino Health Coalition

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Causa, Oregon's Statewide Immigrant Rights Organization is the largest Latina and Latino civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies. For more information about Causa, please visit www.causaoregon.org

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DREAMers respond to Oregon Congressman Greg Walden

Broken Promises, Broken Dreams 
 By DREAMers’ Sara Ramirez and Fernando Dorantes

“We arrived in Washington D.C. on Tuesday around 1 A.M. on a nonstop flight from Oregon --exhausted but equally excited!!! To facilitate our trip, we made and sold over 600 hundred delicious tamales the weekend before we left. We wanted to work and fund our own trip and prove to ourselves that we deserve to be here. After only sleeping a couple of hours, we were up and ready to begin our training with the “Keep Families Together” Summit, and hopefully meet with our Oregon Representative, Greg Walden.

Before coming to D.C., we attempted to make numerous appointments online, but received no response. However, to our surprise at 10 A.M., we actually received a call from his office asking if we wanted to meet with one of his aids at 3:30 P.M. So in a heartbeat, we said “YES!”. We showed up early and to our surprise Congressman Walden himself was there to meet with us.

In the meeting, we shared our personal stories about our families with a straight and honest attitude. His response seemed genuine but vague; giving us hope that an immigration reform was in sight. We left accomplished and proud, only to be deceived by his vote the next day in favor of the “Enforce Act” (HR 4138) which would repeal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and put myself and other DREAMers at risk for deportation.

Congressman Walden's vote has proven once again that he is unwilling to work with us on immigration reform. He knows we are DREAMers with families that have been broken by immigration; yet he still has the tenacity to raise his hand for the “Enforce Act”. As we reflect on this political “stunt”, we are not afraid to continue the fight against this broken immigration system. Congressman Greg Walden has just added more fuel to our fire and we will make sure there are major repercussions in his district regarding his stance on immigration."

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Causa Oregon responds to President Obama’s State of the Union Speech

January 29, 2014

Salem, Ore. -- Last night, President Obama gave his State of The Union Address to the Nation. During his speech, the President discussed immigration and said:

“Finally, if we are serious about economic growth, it is time to heed the call of business leaders, labor leaders, faith leaders, and law enforcement – and fix our broken immigration system. Republicans and Democrats in the Senate have acted. I know that members of both parties in the House want to do the same. Independent economists say immigration reform will grow our economy and shrink our deficits by almost $1 trillion in the next two decades. And for good reason: when people come here to fulfill their dreams – to study, invent, and contribute to our culture – they make our country a more attractive place for businesses to locate and create jobs for everyone. So let’s get immigration reform done this year.” 

 

In response to the President, Causa’s Executive Director Andrea Miller had this to say:

 

"We support President Obama's call to action on immigration reform. Families across Oregon have made it impossible for Congressman Greg Walden to ignore the moral crisis happening in our communities. Republicans like Congressman Walden understand that inaction on immigration is not viable, if their party is to survive. So, in the coming months, we will join with our partners and allies around the state and at the national level and to raise awareness in our communities about those who stand by while their policies separate mothers and fathers from their children. 

 

At the same time, we won’t allow President Obama to have it both ways. The laws enforced under his watch have separated hundreds of thousands of children from parents. And, his de facto family-separation policy -- which Republicans all too gladly support -- is winning him a shameful page in history: The President who deported two million immigrants. 

 

The President has said several times that he has “a pen and a phone” signaling that he will sign executive orders and take executive actions. The President has the power and authority to act now and end the deportations that are tearing families apart. We join with our allies around the country in calling on him to act immediately and comprehensively to suspend these cruel policies."

 

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Causa, Oregon's Statewide Immigrant Rights Organization is the largest Latina and Latino civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies. For more information, visit www.causaoregon.org

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Speaker Boehner Turns His Back on Immigration Crisis

Speaker Boehner Turns His Back on Our Immigration Crisis 

Latino, Immigrant Families Can’t Afford the Same Luxury as Speaker Boehner and House Republicans

Salem, Ore. -- Yesterday, Speaker Boehner said during a press conference that he is unwilling to work with the US Senate to fix our nation’s broken immigration system. Pro-immigrant rights groups, faith, union and community groups across the country are outraged by the Speaker’s overt refusal to do what’s necessary to pass immigration reform, and we are committed to keep piling on the pressure on House Republicans to give us a vote on citizenship.

The following is a statement from Andrea Miller, Executive Director of Causa Oregon:

“It’s outrageous that Speaker John Boehner would refuse to work with the Senate to solve our immigration crisis. This year, he has had the opportunity to get his party back on track with Latino, Asian American, and immigrant voters, but instead has chosen to listen to a far-right small minority in his party and fail the American people. He and the House leadership should be working non-stop and doing everything they can to end this moral crisis and stop the millions of families that are being torn apart.”

“The House Republican leadership has more than enough time to pass immigration reform this year—and the upcoming holidays should not be an excuse for stalling and blocking reform from happening this year. It’s during the holidays, particularly, when members of Congress should recognize what our broken immigration system is doing to immigrant families and motivate them to act immediately.”

“American voters remain steadfast in their support for immigration reform with a path to citizenship, with more than 70 percent who want to see reform passed this year.”

“We will hold Speaker Boehner and the House Republicans responsible if they choose to fail America and not bring immigration reform to a vote. The pro-immigration reform movement is growing more diverse and stronger every day, and if House leaders choose not to bring citizenship up for a vote this year, our movement will be relentless in punishing those who block reform.”

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Causa, Oregon's Statewide Immigrant Rights Organization is the largest Latina and Latino civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies. For more information, visit www.causaoregon.org

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Compact introduced to guide Utah's immigration discussion

Salt Lake City, UT--A group of conservative civic, business, and religious leaders from Utah State have signed onto a declaration to set forth principles on immigration reform.

The Utah Compact

The document, referred to as the Utah Compact, was introduced last week during a ceremony by the Utah State Attorney General's Office, the Salt Lake City Mayor's Office, the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Salt Lake, and the Sutherland Institute, a Utah-based public policy research organization supporting limited government.

The compact outlines five principles "to guide Utah's immigration discussion" which includes:

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DeFazio responds to questions about DREAM Act, Immigration Reform and Tuition Equality

Earlier today, CAUSA's Eugene staff member, Ranfis Villatoro received a response from Congressman Peter DeFazio (OR-D) regarding questions he had about the Congressman's position on the DREAM Act, Immigration Reform, and Tuition Equity. Here is a copy of that response letter from Representative DeFazio:

Dear Mr. Villatoro:

Thank you for contacting me in favor of the DREAM Act. I appreciate hearing from you.

As you may know, the Senate recently failed to find the votes to even take up the Department of Defense Authorization bill, which some Senators had hoped to attach the DREAM act to. Given that the Senate has been a perennial grave yard for legislation, the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, has stated unequivocally that the House of Representatives will not act on immigration reform until the Senate is able to pass their version. With that in mind, it is highly unlikely that the House of Representatives will be voting on immigration issues in the near future. If we are going to make any sort of legislative progress the Senate is going to have to quit its bloviating and dithering, and instead actually pass more than a handful of bills every year.

Currently 12 states are exercising their existing right to offer undocumented immigrants in-state tuition. These states are making it easier for all residents of their states to obtain a higher education. California and Texas, two of the states with the largest immigrant populations, are among these 12 states. I support these states' right to determine their own guidelines for in-state tuition requirements, and would not want the federal government to get in the way of that right. The DREAM Act would simplify the process for other states to follow suit.

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March For America Actions Continue at Republican National Committee

Washington D.C. -- Today, in continuation of yesterday's March For America events, CAUSA and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) were instrumental in helping to organize and lead an action at the Republican National Committee.

About 150 people representing a range of organzations from around the nation went to the offices of the RNC to ask for a meeting with Chairman Michael Steele.

With 100 pro-reform advocates outside, 50 people, including CAUSA's Executive Director Francisco Lopez and Andrea Miller, sat down on the floor in the lobby. After 20 minutes into the sit-in, it was announced that the RNC Chairman had agreed to a meeting set to take place on March 31st.

The goal of the meeting on March 31st is to ask Chairman Steele to reject obstructionist tactics that are alienating mainstream Americans and to press the Republican Party to join Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in passing comprehensive immigration reform legislation in 2010.

The action at the RNC came just one day after the March and Rally at the National Mall in attended by immigration reform advocates from around the nation.

The reports on the numbers of those in attendance ranged from 200,000 to 500,000 people. Event Organizers had the number reported by the Parks Department and a Fox News Affiliate at around 500,000. While various others reported 200,000 and over.

Regardless of the exact number, the Marches and Rally at the National Mall yielded renewed commitments from the President and Congressional leadership to advance immigration reform legislation this year.

Sunday's March and today's action at the RNC were a prelude to in-district town halls and meetings during the spring recess. Stay tuned for details on upcoming meetings and townhalls with Legislators around Oregon.

Special Note from Sean Thomas-Breitfeld with Center for Community Change about today's action at the RNC:

"This action would not have happened without the dedicated leadership of FIRM partners. Special thanks go to: Francisco Lopez (who was unwavering in his support for this action) and leaders from CAUSA; Xiomara Corpeno (who added this to her already full plate of responsibilities for the weekend), Angelica Salas and leaders from CHIRLA; Julien Ross and the leaders from CIRC; and Stephen Noble Smith, Josh Hoyt (who conceived of this idea only 10 days ago) and leaders from ICIRR. Many many thanks also to One America, NAKASEC and Voces de la Frontera for turning out great and energized leaders for today's courageous and successful action!"

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80 March and Rally for Immigration Reform in Bend

February 13, 2010

Bend, Ore--On Friday, close to 80 people including members of Recursos para Derechos Humanos, Central Oregon Jobs with Justice, CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition and residents of Deschutes County marched to the district office of Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR) in Bend.

The goal of the action was to ask Congressman Walden to support the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2009 (HR1751) and to join on as a co-sponsor of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity (CIR ASAP) Act of 2009 (HR 4321). Both bills have wide support among business associations including those representing the Nursery and Restaurant Industry, Law Enforcement, Clergy and Faith-based Organizations, Labor Unions, Civil Rights Organizations and Community Leaders.

While gathering for the march, immigrant rights supporters were greeted by five rowdy protestors opposing immigration reform. One angry anti-reform protestor attempted in vain to block the peaceful marchers as they walked to lobby their Congressman. Regardless of the few disruptive detractors, pro-reform advocates received a great deal of positive vocal support and applause from business owners and passers-by as they marched down the sidewalk to Congressman Walden's office.

After arriving outside the office to hold a short rally, reform advocates were invited in to discuss their request. While inside, they turned in close to 500 postcards asking Congressman Walden to join as a co-sponsor of CIR-ASAP and to support the DREAM Act.

This is not the first time CAUSA and Reform Allies have communicated with Congressman Walden around the issue of Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Last year, a delegation from Oregon attended the Reform Immigration FOR America summit in Washinton D.C which included a visit to Capitol Hill. Members of CAUSA, PCUN, Mujeres Luchadoras Progresistas and Rural Organizing Project met with Congressman Walden. (The photo to the left is from that visit.)

Friday's action is part of a nationwide mobilization to shore up Congressional support for the DREAM Act (HR1751) and CIR-ASAP Act (HR 4321). The event at Congressman Walden's office marked the 7th and final action of the first round of visits to Oregon's Congressional Delegation. The next round lobbying will begin in the coming weeks.

News Coverage:
KOHD News (ABC) Bend: Immigration Reform Rally in Downtown Bend http://kohd.com/news/local/16250

KTVZ News Channel 21 Bend: Bend rally puts focus on immigration reform debate http://www.ktvz.com/Global/story.asp?S=11979802

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Reform proponents to call on Oregon Congressman to support Immigration Bill

Join Recursos para Derechos Humanos, Central Oregon Jobs with Justice, CAUSA, Oregon’s Immigrant Rights Coalition and residents of Deschutes County this Friday for a March and Rally at Congressman Greg Walden's office in Bend.

Friday's action is part of a nationwide mobilization to shore up Congressional support for the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2009 and the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP) (HR 4321).

During the march and rally to take place at noon, advocates will tell Representative Greg Walden (R-OR):

• Immigrants are a critical part of America’s economy and its recovery.
• The American future depends on a secure, legal immigrant community.
• Immigration Reform & the DREAM Act needs to be passed NOW!

Finally, they will ask him to join as a co-sponsor of HR4321 and to support the DREAM Act.

WHAT: March and Rally for DREAM Act and CIR-ASAP
WHEN: Noon, February 12, 2010
WHERE: Meet at the west end of the Domino Room (51 NW Greenwood Ave.) and march to the Congressman's office located at 1051 NW Bond St. in Bend.
WHO: Recursos para Derechos Humanos, Central Oregon Jobs with Justice, CAUSA, Oregon’s Immigrant Rights Coalition and residents of Deschutes County

America needs serious immigration reform that:

• Creates millions of new taxpayers by requiring undocumented immigrants to register, go through background checks, pay taxes, and study English on their way to becoming full U.S. citizens
• Protects workers and helps with economic recovery
• Keeps families together
• Protects the due process rights of all

For more information about this event or the campaign, please contact Erik at 503.488.0263

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Advocates Call for Passage of DREAM Act and Immigration Reform

Reform Proponents March and Rally at Office of Congressman DeFazio in Eugene

Eugene, Ore--Today, CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition and immigration reform supporters gathered at the district office of Congressman Peter DeFazio in Eugene They called on the Congressman to support the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2009 and to join on as a co-sponsor of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP) (HR 4321).

Congressman DeFazio is the sixth member of Oregon's Congressional Delegation that CAUSA and immigration reform advocates have visited since the start of the nationwide campaign at the beginning of January.

Those in attendance at today's action included Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy, students from local colleges and members of several Lane County community organizations and churches. Local News coverage came from KEZI News Channel 9 Eugene (ABC News Affiliate) and KLCC 89.7 FM Eugene. (Links to the stories can be found below.)

Next week on February 12th, CAUSA will join Central Oregon Jobs with Justice and residents of Deschutes County at Noon for a March and Rally at Congressman Greg Walden's office to ask him to support the DREAM Act and to join as a cosponsor of HR 4321.

News Coverage:

KEZI News Channel 9 Eugene: Advocacy Group Campaigns for Immigration Bill http://kezi.com/news/local/161150

KLCC News 89.7 FM Eugene : Immigration Rights Activists Call for Reform http://tinyurl.com/yanc65o Audio: http://tinyurl.com/ycfw5yf

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Action for CIR-ASAP and DREAM at Rep. DeFazio's Office Today

Join us today at noon for a March and Rally at the district office of U.S. Congressman Peter DeFazio in Eugene.

We will call on the Congressman to support the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2009 and to join on as a co-sponsor of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP) (HR 4321).

WHAT: March and Rally for CIR-ASAP and DREAM Act!

WHEN: Tuesday, February 2nd at 12:00 Noon

WHERE: Office of US Congressman Peter DeFazio, 405 East 8th Ave. #2030, Eugene, Oregon 97403

WHO: CAUSA, Oregon Immigrant Rights Coalition and Students from Area Colleges

This is the sixth member of Oregon's Congressional Delegation that CAUSA and our supporters and allies have visited since the start of the nationwide campaign at the beginning of January. Last week, close to 70 immigration reform advocates gathered at Congressman Schrader's office in Salem as we called on the Congressman to support HR4321 and the DREAM Act. Your help is needed in Eugene today as we ask the same of Congressman DeFazio.

We hope you will join us for this very important action for Immigration Reform and the DREAM Act!

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VIDEO: Campaign Kick-off for Immigration Reform Bill HR 4321

Yesterday, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition held a Press Conference thanking Congressman Blumenauer for being the first Representative from Oregon's Congressional Delegation to join on as a co-sponsor of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP) (HR 4321)and to call on remainder of the delegation to join him.

During the Press Conference, Congressman Blumenauer made a surprise appearance to explain the importance and the work needed to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Watch our video featuring scenes of the Press Conference and Congressman Blumenauer's speech:



Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38pV4hTFeRU

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Congressman Blumenauer speaks at CIR-ASAP Press Conference in Portland

Oregon Coalition holds Campaign Kick-off for Immigration Reform Bill HR 4321

Portland, Ore.--CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, held a Press Conference on Thursday thanking Congressman Blumenauer for being the first Representative from Oregon's Congressional Delegation to join on as a co-sponsor of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP) (HR 4321).

Supporters of the bill also called on Oregon's other Representatives to join with Congressman Blumenauer in supporting the legislation and for Senators Wyden and Merkley to encourage New York Senator Charles Schumer to introduce a similar bill in the Senate.

During the Press Conference, Congressman Blumenauer made a surprise appearance in lieu of his staffer to explain the importance and the work needed to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform. This is what the Congressman had to say:

"We need people to stop playing politics with Immigration. It is important to reach out to individuals, in every church, in every opportunity where there are small groups, people working in business, people who are working in social service agencies to talk about the human face, to talk about reasonable legislation, that will help people earn an opportunity for citizenship. We can do this in a way where, and most importantly, that we are not punishing children who are here who are here and are everybody's future".

The event was very positive and uplifting. Click here to watch our video featuring scenes of today's action and Congressman Blumenauer's speech.

We Need Comprehensive Immigration Reform NOW. Reform is long overdue, and Congress must take immediate action to fix our broken immigration system. CAUSA and the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign are mobilizing Oregonians and Americans alike across the nation for an immigration reform that works for the economy, taxpayers and families. One that:

Creates millions of new taxpayers by requiring undocumented immigrants to register, go through background checks, pay taxes, and study English on their way to becoming full U.S. citizens

Enhances our national security by focusing our enforcement and security measures on the most dangerous threats to our communities

Protects workers and helps with economic recovery Keeps families together

Protects the due process rights of all

Thursday's Campaign Kick-off in Oregon came the same day the Immigration Policy Center and the Center for American Progress released a groundbreaking report on the economic benefits of Immigration Reform. According to the report, immigration reform will raise the GDP in the United States by over $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years. In contrast, deportation-only proposals will cost the U.S. economy over $2.5 trillion-above and beyond the cost of deporting 12 million people.

Throughout the rest of this month and next, CAUSA and our supporters will visit Oregon's other Representatives encouraging them to sign on as co-sponsors of HR 4321 (CIR-ASAP of 2009). Please see our calendar for the dates and times.

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A Closer Look at Immigration Reform Legislation in the New Year

A Closer Look at Immigration Reform Legislation in the New Year

By Mary Giovagnoli, originally posted at Immigration Impact.

Everyone pulled out the sports analogies last week when Congressman Luis Gutierrez and his 91 co-sponsors introduced H.R. 4321, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act of 2009—and rightly so, as this bill marks the opening bell in the 2010 immigration debate. It is not only the first major piece of comprehensive reform legislation introduced in the 111th Congress, but the first since the last debate on immigration reform, which took place in May and June of 2007 in the Senate.

But CIR ASAP also marks the end of a year that has been filled with movement on immigration reform. Most of it was not legislative, but reflected instead the change in Presidential administrations. Among the key developments:

• Janet Napolitano, governor of Arizona, an outspoken supporter of the comprehensive immigration reformand smart enforcement strategies, was named Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. She immediately called for review of enforcement programs that were highly criticized, including 287(g), E-verify, and worksite raids. This review ultimately led to major reforms in detention practices, an end to the massive worksite raids of the past, and a revamping of 287(g).
• President Obama reaffirmed his commitment to CIR over and over again, most notably by calling a White House summit of key Congressional leaders in May, naming Napolitano as his point person for getting reform done. Other cabinet leaders have been pulled into the effort, too. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, speaking at the Center for American Progress last week noted that cabinet secretaries and their staff are meeting weekly to coordinate administration efforts on reform.
• The President’s budget included a request for appropriated funds for USCIS, to pay for the costs of processing, asylum refugee, and military naturalization applications. Although Congress ultimately appropriated only a small portion of those funds, the mere fact that the administration recognized the need to revisit current fee structures (in which the agency must fund its operations almost exclusively through fees), marked a major policy departure, and the glimmer of true fee reform.

Still, there’s no denying the significance of the 644 page legislative package introduced last week. While it is a product of 2009, many of the proposals, including detention reforms and family reunification proposals, reflect tremendous work over the years by many of the co-sponsors—including Reps. Woolsey, Roybal Allard, Honda, Grijalva, Reyes, and Berman—while other sections incorporate legislation from Senators Menendez, Durbin, and former Senator Obama. As with all legislation of this type, it is a compilation of new and old ideas, woven together to reflect both a prescription for immigration policy and a plan for bringing along votes.

Does this mean that CIR ASAP is merely a marker bill, one designed to throw down the gauntlet, but not to move? Not exactly. Senator Schumer, as head of the Senate’s immigration subcommittee, and Congresswoman Lofgren, chair of the House Immigration subcommittee, are both expected to champion their own legislative packages in the coming year. It’s anticipated that Sen. Schumer will introduce his own comprehensive package early in 2010, which is likely to change significantly as it goes through committee, and then through the whole Senate. Assuming Senate passage, then the House will have to decide whether to simply take up the Senate bill, introduce a new package, or take CIR ASAP and its fellow proposals (and there will be more, it’s the nature of the game) through committee markups and so forth. So, it’s hard to tell what everything will look like by the time a bill hits the president’s desk. But CIR ASAP contains a number of viable solutions, and the final package will no doubt reflect some of those ideas—and hopefully some of the passion that infuses the bill.

So, while CIR ASAP may be the beginning of an era, it is also the end of a period of transition. The administration has made its position pretty clear. A big chunk of the House has now, too. The next move is Senator Schumer’s—and then the real games begin.

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Study finds immigration and economic growth go “hand in hand”

Today, the Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCPP) reported on a new study from the New York based, Fiscal Policy Institute. The findings: Immigration and economic growth go hand in hand.

For their report, Immigrants and the Economy: Contribution of Immigrant Workers to the Country's 25 Largest Metropolitan Areas, the Fiscal Policy Institute examined the economic impact of all foreign-born workers, including undocumented immigrants, in the nation’s 25 largest metropolitan areas.

OCPP said in a press release today that the Fiscal Policy Institute shared additional data about the Portland Metropolitan Area, not included in their report.

According to the data, immigrants in the Portland MetroArea constitute about 12 percent of the population and generate about 12 percent of the economic output. This one to one ratio is said to be consistent throughout the 25 metropolitan areas studied.

The results of the study provides further evidence of why passage of Comprehensive Immigration Reform is so critical for the economic recovery of the United States. In an interview with OCPP, Francisco Lopez, Executive Director of CAUSA, adds that, “A path to citizenship for undocumented workers would allow them to contribute even more to Portland and Oregon’s economy,” Lopez said. “It would make undocumented immigrants less vulnerable to exploitation, lifting the bar for all workers, and provide the security needed to start a business. Everyone would win.”

To read the press release from the Oregon Center for Public Policy, please link here. There you can find links to the full report from the Fiscal Policy Institute.

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Bill passes eliminating two year wait penalty for widows of U.S. Citizens

Today Congress passed a bill that ends what has become known as the “widow penalty”. It required a U.S. citizen to be married at least two years to their foreign spouse before the foreign spouse could receive legal residency.

According to an article from the Wall Street Journal, the elimination of the two-year marriage requirement permits widows and widowers of U.S. citizens to apply for a green card for themselves and on behalf of their children born abroad.

Under the 71 year-old law, it is believed that thousands have been deported. The article points out that there are currently about 200 spouses trying to stave off deportation.

The passage of the bill, according to an attorney who has been helping victims of the 71 year old law, changes the widows' situation from “being in the shadows and fearing a knock on the door by an immigration agent to leading productive lives with their families”.

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CAUSA interviewed by Basque language newspaper, Berria

Last week, Francisco Lopez, CAUSA's Executive Director was interviewed by Berria, the only Basque language newspaper which can be read in the entirety of the Basque country. Berria is published in Andoain, Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous Basque region, Euskadi, in northern Spain.

Lopez was interviewed about CAUSA's involvement in the national Comprehensive Immigration Reform campaign. (See the full newpaper section by clicking the image below)


The article can be found by linking here.

Also featured in Berria was an interview with Romeo Sosa of Portland Voz about the Day Labor Center in Portland. That article can be found by linking here (page 1) and here (page 2).

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Enough is Enough: Time for real immigration reform

Imagine waking up to pounding on your front door, you and your kids forced to the floor in your pajamas, heavily armed agents rifling their way through your home as the kids scream out in terror.

Now, imagine armed federal agents barging into your home without legal consent.

Last week, the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law called the government's pre-dawn immigration raids on family homes "unconstitutional" and said that a "cowboy mentality" over at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been doing serious harm.

So far, DHS has refused to investigate or acknowledge these and other serious charges.


Watch this latest video from America's Voice and sign the petition to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano saying, "Enough is enough!"

It's time for real immigration reform, not more "cowboy" enforcement tactics.

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RELEASE: IPC Lauds Obama Administration for Beginning Immigration Reform Discussion

This press release comes from the Immigration Policy Center. The Immigration Policy Center (IPC) is the research arm of the American Immigration Law Foundation (AILF).

IPC Lauds Obama Administration for Beginning Immigration Reform Discussion

President Obama to Meet with Congressional Leaders at the White House Tomorrow
June 24, 2009

Washington, DC - Tomorrow President Obama and Congressional leaders will meet to chart a roadmap designed to move comprehensive immigration reform forward in 2009. The President has already begun solving our nation's toughest problems and has promised to tackle our broken immigration system in his first year in office. Leaders in Congress are also committed to moving immigration reform this year and their efforts are buoyed by a groundswell of support from the majority of Americans who want immigration reform.

"Now more than ever Congress must take the necessary steps to unify families, provide legal channels for immigrant workers, and create a path towards citizenship for those in our country who are willing to pay taxes, learn English, and follow our laws," said Mary Giovagnoli, Director of the Immigration Policy Center. "An immigration system that promotes American values, encourages hard work, and fosters economic prosperity is what America urgently needs."

We now look to Congress to develop a comprehensive immigration reform package that includes the checks and balances necessary for a 21st century immigration system. This includes bringing people out of the shadows, strong border enforcement, legal channels for immigrant workers, and a robust naturalization and integration program.

For more information on the various elements of reform, the Immigration Policy Center has produced the following fact check:

Comprehensive Immigration Reform: A Primer

For press inquiries, contact Wendy Sefsaf at 202-507-7524 or wsefsaf@ailf.org

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Conference of Catholic Bishops President says Immigration Reform a pressing Humanitarian Issue

STATEMENT OF CARDINAL FRANCIS GEORGE
ARCHBISHOP OF CHICAGO
PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS

JUNE 18, 2009

On behalf of the United States Catholic Bishops, gathered in San Antonio, Texas, at our annual spring meeting, I would ask President Barack Obama and congressional leaders of both parties to work together to fashion and enact comprehensive immigration reform legislation before the end of the year.

It has been clear for years that the United States immigration system requires repair and that reform legislation should not be delayed.

We urge respect and observance of all just laws, and we do not approve or encourage the illegal entry of anyone into our country. From a humanitarian perspective, however, our fellow human beings, who migrate to support their families, continue to suffer at the hands of immigration policies that separate them from family members and drive them into remote parts of the American desert, sometimes to their deaths. This suffering should not continue.

Now is the time to address this pressing humanitarian issue which affects so many lives and undermines basic human dignity. Our society should no longer tolerate a status quo that perpetuates a permanent underclass of persons and benefits from their labor without offering them legal protections. As a moral matter, we must resolve the legal status of those who are here without proper documentation so that they can fully contribute their talents to our nation*s economic, social and spiritual well being.

Only through comprehensive reform can we restore the rule of law to our nation*s immigration system.

We urge President Obama and congressional leaders to meet as soon as possible to discuss and draft comprehensive immigration reform legislation, with the goal of making it law by the end of 2009. The Catholic bishops of our country stand ready to assist in this effort.

http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2009/09-142.shtml

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