Progressive Principles for Immigration Reform

The Debate on Immigration Reform
(Adapted from Unionhispana.Org)

In both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, there are competing proposals for immigration legislation ranging from comprehensive fixes that address nearly all parts of our broken system, to enforcement-only models that would do little to remedy the underlying problems.

After piecing together a compromise bill over the past week, the Senate failed to pass the bill yesterday, which means our elected politicians are heading back to their constituents for their spring break without an immigration reform bill. NOW is the time to contact and talk with your representatives to make sure they go back to Washington with an ear full of your voices advocating progressive principles for immigration reform.

Below is a description of the principles that should guide immigration reform.

Please contact your representatives to let them know that you want real solutions that respect our history as a nation of immigrants. Building walls against immigrants is a disgrace to not only our history as a nation of immigrants, but to all that immigrants have done to make this country's economy grow.

Principles for Immigration Reform:

1) Must be comprehensive: Deal with all aspects of the broken system.

2) Provide a path to citizenship: Reject temporary ‘guestworker’ plans in favor of those that promote integration and full participation in U.S. society for those who qualify.

3) Protect all workers’ rights: Meet employers’ needs for workers, but not at the expense of U.S. and other immigrant workers; Meaningfully enforce labor protections.

4) Reunite families: Reduce the backlogs to bring families back together.

5) Restore the rule of reasonable law and enhance security for all: Provide effective, humane border and interior enforcement, combined with realistic reforms, to make us all safer.

6) Promote citizenship/civic participation and help local communities: Create opportunities to learn English, prepare for citizenship, and support immigrant families and local communities during times of demographic change.