CRS: Support 'pro-family' amendments to immigration reform legislation

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June 2007

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CRS: Support 'pro-family' amendments to immigration reform legislation
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CRS: Support 'pro-family' amendments to immigration reform legislation
From Catholic Relief Services:
TAKE ACTION NOW! Click here to urge your Senators to support amendments to S. 1348 that support family unity and to oppose amendments that limit the number of persons eligible for the Z visa legalization program.

WHY THIS ISSUE IS IMPORTANT: On June 5 the Senate is scheduled to resume work on S. 1348, the Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Reform Act of 2007, a bill that addresses border security and immigration enforcement, creates a legalization program for undocumented immigrants in the U.S., establishes a temporary worker program, and makes changes to the family preference and worker visa systems.

The Senate bill contains many important elements of comprehensive immigration reform. However, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic Justice for Immigrants Campaign have significant reservations regarding certain aspects of S. 1348. We are calling on Senators to improve the bill to support family reunification and oppose amendments that would further restrict eligibility for the legalization program.

WHY WE SHOULD GET INVOLVED: Our faith teaches us to uphold the dignity of every person and to act in solidarity with our brothers and sisters worldwide, especially the poor. As an expression of these Catholic social teachings, CRS serves displaced people, refugees, migrants and victims of human trafficking, daily confronting the suffering and exploitation of migrants and families separated across borders often for years. CRS also works with the worldwide Catholic Church to create economic opportunities so that people are not forced to migrate.

The Catholic Bishops of the United States, Mexico and Central America have consistently called for comprehensive immigration reform. The Bishops noted that: “we judge ourselves as a community of faith by the way we treat the most vulnerable among us.” In response to the Bishops’ call, CRS has joined the Justice for Immigrants Campaign in support of fair, comprehensive immigration reform.

TALKING POINTS: Click here or call the Capitol Switchboard 202-224-3121 and urge your Senators to improve S. 1348 by supporting the following family reunification amendments and opposing amendments that would further restrict eligibility for the legalization program:

1. SUPPORT the following amendments to S. 1348:

Menedez-Hagel (#1194): Would move the cut-off date for family backlog reduction from May 2005 to January 1, 2007. This would help 800,000 applicants and strengthen family reunification.
Clinton-Hagel (#1183): Would move immediate relatives (spouses, minor children) of legal permanent residents to the uncapped category, thereby eliminating backlogs.
Obama-Menendez (#1202): Would sunset merit-based “point” system after five years.
Dodd-Menendez (#1199): Would increase the number of green cards for parents of U.S. citizens from 40,000 to 90,000.
Kerry: Would require immigration enforcement officials to provide immigrants involved in raids access to state social services and legal orientation and allow the release of vulnerable populations such as single mothers.
Lieberman (#1191): Would establish detention standards for asylum-seekers and allow for their release on bond.

2. OPPOSE the following amendments:

Cornyn (#1184 and #1250): #1184 would limit eligibility for the “Z” visa legalization program by disqualifying those who used false documents or other minor offenses. #1250 would restrict confidentiality protections in the legalization program.
Grassley (#1166): Would limit judicial review of visa revocations.

For further information contact:
Tina Rodousakis, Legislative Network Specialist, 1-800-235-2772 x 7462; trodousa@crs.org

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