Arizona-style legislation introduced in the Oregon State Legislature

Oregon State Representative Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer) has introduced legislation that will force our state and local government entities to act as federal agents. The proposed legislation threatens to create a divisive political environment.

We fear that the following list of bills would hurt Oregon's minority and immigrant communities. We are particularly concerned about proposed legislation that mirrors the extreme policies of Arizona's SB1070.

HB 2802 Prohibits restrictions on public body's ability to enforce immigration law to extent permitted by federal law. Authorizes legal resident to bring civil action against public body that violates prohibition.

HB 2803 Requires county to verify immigration status of person incarcerated in county correctional facility.

HB 2804 Requires evidence of citizenship for persons registering to vote for first time in this state.

HB 2805 Prohibits state agencies from providing employment, products, services or licenses to persons who are not lawfully present in United States.

HB 2806 Limits deductibility of expenses related to employment of workers hired on or after January 1, 2012 to workers whose eligibility for employment in United States has been verified through federal E-Verify employment verification system.

We must take immediate action to ensure that none of these extreme bills have a chance of becoming law. In addition to creating a divisive climate, they also represent an economic burden for our state and local governments, businesses, and local law enforcement agencies—something our state can’t afford.

Please call our newly inaugurated Co-Speakers of the House, Senate President, and Governor at the phone numbers below.

Co-Speaker of the House Bruce Hanna - (R-Roseburg) 503-986-1200
Co-Speaker of the House Arnie Roblan - (D-Coos Bay) 503-986-1300
Senate President Peter Courtney- (D-Salem) 503-986-1600
Governor John Kitzhaber 503-378-4582

Tell them that Oregon is not Arizona. Let them know that we don't want Representative Kim Thatcher or others to create a divisive political climate in Oregon. Explain that we do not want our state officials to take the role of federal agents. We want common-sense solutions to our economic problems and not extremist legislation.

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President Obama supports the DREAM Act – do you?

Originally posted at the Reform Immigration For America blog

                      
President Obama and Organizing for America are throwing their weight behind the DREAM Act. The President wants Congress to deliver him a bill to sign authorizing the DREAM Act before the end of the year — meaning the bill now has the support of the President, Senate majority leader Harry Reid, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Defense Secretary Gates, Representatives and Senators on both sides of the aisle and a majority of the American public.

But there are still obstructionist Republicans, who don’t think immigrants should be able to go to college or serve our country – and we need to break their filibuster. Make a call for the DREAM Act and tell the Senators on the fence that they need to support this popular and important bill as a first step on the way to comprehensive immigration reform.

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CAUSA Applauds Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill introduced in U.S. Senate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2010

Contact:
Francisco Lopez, Executive Director: (503) 269-5694
Erik Sorensen, Communications Director: (503) 488-0263

CAUSA Applauds Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill introduced in U.S. Senate

Oregon Senators Should Work To Improve, Pass Reform Legislation

Salem, Ore. -- Last night, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) introduced comprehensive immigration reform legislation in the United States Senate.

CAUSA commends Senators Menendez and Leahy for their strong leadership and we look forward to working with them and others to pass this legislation. The proposal contains many common sense solutions to our nation's broken immigration system including the DREAM Act and AgJOBS--two provisions critical to true comprehensive reform.

Senators Menendez's and Leahy's legislation, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2010 (S. 3932), is a tough, fair, and practical solution that will:

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New Study reveals the economic benefits of Immigration Reform

On Thursday, the Immigration Policy Center and the Center for American Progress released a groundbreaking report on the economic benefits of Immigration Reform.

According to an article at Immigration Impact, the report contrasts the economic benefits of comprehensive reform with the damage that would be done to the U.S. economy by a “mass deportation” campaign to remove all unauthorized immigrants from the country and effectively “seal the border” to future unauthorized immigration.

The report, Raising the Floor for American Workers, claims that immigration reform will raise the GDP in the United States by over $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years. In contrast, if the federal government were to actually attempt the implementation of a "fanciful, deportation-only scenario", the likely result would be “$2.6 trillion in lost GDP over 10 years, not including the actual cost of deportation,” as well as "widespread job losses throughout the U.S. economy".

The results from the study send a clear message to Congress that in order for the U.S. economy to recover, passage of comprehensive immigration reform legislation needs to be part of the strategy.

To read the full report link here or go to http://tinyurl.com/ydxrjxa

Related News:
CNN: Legalizing unauthorized immigrants would help economy, study says

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Military Families Act Protects Families Who Protect US

This press release comes from our allies at the National Immigration Forum. The National Immigration Forum is the leading immigrant advocacy organization in the country with a mission to advocate for the value of immigrants and immigration to the nation.

For Immediate Release
November 10, 2009

Contact:
Shu Ohno, sohno@immigrationforum.org
(202) 309-5645 (mobile)

Military Families Act Protects Families Who Protect US

Washington, DC - On the eve of Veteran's Day, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced in the Senate, the Military Families Act, S. 2757, joined by co-sponsors Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Russ Feingold (D-WI), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). The bill seeks to provide immigration relief to parents, spouses, or children of US Armed Forces members. Senator Menendez announced the introduction of the bill with Army Specialist Jack Barrios, his wife Frances, and with Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum.

Today, US military families are impacted by our broken immigration system which forces men and women in uniform into the same predicament as millions of other Americans who have spouses, parents, or children who are undocumented and may face deportation proceedings even though they have qualifying relationships to obtain legal status.

The introduction of this bill is especially meaningful today on Veterans Day, as the nation, engaged in two wars, mourns the recent tragedy at Fort Hood, and reflects on the enormous sacrifices made by members of the US Armed Forces and their families.

Senator Robert Menendez articulated why he was moved to draft the bill, stating, "We owe the men and women who risk their lives in service of our nation so much, and that should include the right to be united with their closest family members in our country on a permanent basis."

Menendez continued, "A grateful nation shows gratitude for members of the military not just through statements and ceremonies on Veterans Day, which are important, but also in how we take care of military families. This bill will help ensure the families of those that have served our country with pride and valor don't face unfair and unexpected deportation and are able to remain in this land they call home, close to their loved ones. As we prepare to celebrate Veteran's Day, we keep in our prayers and thoughts those who have died while serving our nation and their family members. We also honor those that put their life on the line on our behalf. With this bill, we can show one measure of our appreciation for their service and sacrifice."

Noorani stated, "This bill recognizes the patriotism, contributions and sacrifices made by our servicemen and women and their families. The bill seeks to remedy the second battle these patriots face at home because their families face being torn apart by a broken immigration system. This bill will protect those families, just as these servicemen and women protect ours."
Joining Senator Menendez in announcing the introduction of the bill was Army Specialist Jack Barrios and his wife Frances. Frances was brought to the United States when she was only six years old. A recent documentary, "Second Battle," profiled Frances and Jack Barrios' story. Frances lacked immigration status and was facing deportation until she was granted an adjustment of status from the Department of Homeland Security last week. While this documentary had a direct impact in securing some relief for the families featured in the film, there are many other families undergoing similar crises with the broken immigration system. (The film "Second Battle" is available at www.intheirboots.com.)

Army Specialist Jack Barrios stated, "What we went through, no American family should have to go through. I think about all my fellow soldiers who might be going through the same pain and stress of being worried about their wife or family, and I know that we need better immigration laws. We need to fix this problem now."

While the estimate of the number of US Military families currently facing similar crises because of the broken immigration system range from hundreds to thousands, a report released yesterday by the Immigration Policy Center finds that there are over 114,000 immigrants currently serving in the US Armed Forces. Last year, over 10 thousand were naturalized as US citizens. Over 12 thousand are serving our nation, while still waiting to become naturalized as American citizens. Since Sept 11, 2001, over 53 thousand men and women in the services have become US citizens.

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U.S. House Passes Historic Bipartisan Health Care Reform Bill

Late last night after a long day of debate, the U.S. House passed an historic bipartisan health care reform bill. At 11:15pm EST, the House of Representatives passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) by a vote of 220, which included 219 Democrats and 1 Republican.

According to a press release from Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), the bill includes “a public option, adds coverage for 37 million people, insures 96% of Americans, and provides advance care planning - a provision Blumenauer authored - all while reducing the deficit.”

For almost 100 years and despite countless attempts, neither chamber of Congress has ever before passed comprehensive health reform.

The passage of the bill brought Americans one step closer to secure, affordable care while extending health care to 36 million more Americans including 323,000 more Oregonians.

It is now up to the Senate to take up their version of healthcare reform legislation. According to ABC News, two bills have already moved through committee and now must be merge into a single, unified bill. Democratic Leaders pledge they will have a bill on the President’s desk before the end of the year.

Correction: Original article reported U.S. Congress passed Historic Bipartisan Health Care Reform bill. For clarity, it was the U.S. House of Representatives that passed the Historic Bipartisan Health Care Reform Bill.

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President Obama signs Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law

Today President Barack Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law making it a federal crime to assault an individual based on a person's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or disability. The legislation also strengthens existing hate crimes protections for a variety of other categories, including race, color, religion, ethnicity and national origin.

The passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act is the first time in history gender identity will receive positive protection in federal law

The expanded hate crimes prevention act is named after Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming teenager who died after being kidnapped and severely beaten and James Byrd Jr., an African-American man dragged to death in Texas. Both brutal murders occurred in October 1998.

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Calls still needed to ensure immigrants have access to health care

Today, the Senate Finance Committee is still considering amendments to the healthcare reform bill several of which have measures restricting immigrants’ access to healthcare.

We need to continue making calls to let Senators know they cannot keep playing politics and scapegoating immigrants.

Call the Senate switchboard now:

English Switchboard: 1-866-974-8813
Spanish Switchboard: 1-866-584-3909

TELL THEM:
Immigrants must have access to affordable health care. They work and pay taxes and are raising families; they should not be barred from accessing the health care exchange by waiting periods or other obstacles.

New verification requirements will hurt U.S. citizens and immigrants alike and are costly, unnecessary and burdensome. Undocumented immigrants are already barred from health care and Medicaid subsidies. Oppose new onerous verification measures!

MEMBERS OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO CALL:

DEMOCRATS
Chairman MAX BAUCUS, Montana
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IV, West Virginia
KENT CONRAD, North Dakota
JEFF BINGAMAN, New Mexico
JOHN F. KERRY, Massachusetts
BLANCHE L. LINCOLN, Arkansas
RON WYDEN, Oregon
CHARLES E. SCHUMER, New York
DEBBIE STABENOW, Michigan
MARIA CANTWELL, Washington
BILL NELSON, Florida
ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey
THOMAS CARPER, Delaware

REPUBLICANS:
OLYMPIA J. SNOWE, Maine

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Bills Regulating the Immigration Detention System Introduced

This press release comes from our partners at the National Immigration Forum. The National Immigration Forum is the leading immigrant advocacy organization in the country with a mission to advocate for the value of immigrants and immigration to the nation.

For Immediate Release
July 30, 2009

Contact:
Katherine Vargas at (202) 383-5987 or
(202) 641-5198 (mobile)

Legislation to Regulate Immigration Detention System Introduced

Bills will Protect U.S. Citizens From Unlawful Detention and Ensure Due Process Rights to Detainees

Washington, DC - Today in the Senate, two important pieces of legislation seeking to fix our broken immigration detention system were introduced: the "Protect Citizens and Residents from Unlawful Detention Act" sponsored by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and the "Strong STANDARDS Act (Safe Treatment, Avoiding Needless Deaths, and Abuse Reduction in the Detention System)" sponsored by Senators Menendez and Gillibrand. The legislation would address some of the concerns raised by recent news articles and reports, over the deteriorating conditions and lack of due process protections for immigrants in detention. The following is a statement by Douglas Rivlin, Communications Director of the National Immigration Forum, a non-partisan, non-profit pro-immigrant advocacy organization in Washington.

The dismal state of our immigration detention system makes it clear that the time is now for Congressional action to address our failing immigration system. Hundreds of thousands of people including women, children, asylum seekers - and even some U.S. citizens who have been mistakenly identified - are caught in a system in crisis. The Department of Homeland Security estimates it will detain over 440,000 individuals this year in a detention system plagued by deplorable conditions and rampant abuse. This poorly run detention complex exists at the expense of detainees' rights and U.S. taxpayers' dollars.

We praise Senators Menendez, Gillibrand and Kennedy along with Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, who is fighting for similar legislation in the House. Their leadership is critical to winning reforms that protect the fundamental rights of detainees and ensure that American values of fairness, transparency and due process are upheld.

However, as long as we have a deficient immigration system the detention system will continue to be overburdened. Unless we pass comprehensive immigration reform, we will continue to have a system divorced from reality, which does not provide sufficient legal channels for immigrants to use or mechanisms for immigrants already in the country to get legalized. It is important and urgent that Congress implements workable solutions that will place our immigration system back on a legal footing and restore basic fairness and humanity to our cruel, costly, and irrational detention system.

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U.S. Police Chiefs Call for Passage of Immigration Reform

Police Chiefs from urban departments around the United States are calling for immigration reform legislation that would “integrate immigrants into the legal system, possibly with driver's licenses, and separate the local police from immigration enforcement” according to a New York Times article.

At a Press Conference in Miami on Wednesday, Chief John Timoney of the Miami Police Department said "We're in the business of delivering a police service whether the person has had a car accident, been a victim of a crime, or been a witness to a crime”. And that undocumented immigrants may not call authorities for fear "that they are going to wind up being reported to federal authorities and deported."

Timoney went on to say that "The problem for us is they don't discern between federal authorities and local authorities. As far as they're concerned it's all law enforcement."

Other Chiefs joined with Timoney in saying that “Those who call illegal immigrants "criminals," are misreading the law and hurting their own communities by scaring neighbors who could identify criminals.”

Chief Acevedo of the Austin Police Department in Texas said "When you remove the emotion from the debate, no one can argue that it is in the best interest of public safety to keep these people living in the shadows."

The Chiefs said it would be impossible to deport our nation's 10 million to 15 million undocumented immigrants which is another reason they support a “new policy that improves public safety by bringing illegal immigrants out of the shadows”.

For the full article, link here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/02/us/02florida.html?ref=global-home

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