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Policy Advocacy -
Border & Immigration Reform
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Tuesday, April 28 2009 15:14 |
As our 100-Day countdown for just and humane immigration reform comes to an end (only 4 days to go), we take a moment to update you on the current state of immigration. We saw a new movement come to life after President Obama announced he will push for comprehensive immigration reform this year.
HR 2076
Exciting news! Last week Representative Raul Grijalva (AZ-7) introduced “HR 2076, The Border Security and Responsibility Act of 2009”.
The purpose of this bill is to restore the rule of law to the borderlands, protect communities, federal lands (such as national parks), and wildlife habitat from the destructive impacts of the border wall.
Call your representative today and urge her or him to support House bill 2076, The Border Security and Responsibility Act of 2009. For talking points and information on how to contact your representative, click here.
To date, walls have been built across more than 600 miles of our shared international border with Mexico. These divisive barriers have separated families, divided borderland communities, caused damaging floods, erosion, destroyed fragile habitat, and threatened the survival of wildlife dependent upon migration.
Members of Congress can stop border wall construction and help mitigate the damage done, but they need to hear from you.
Currently, dozens of concerned citizens from across the country are in Washington, D.C. to build support for Rep. Grijalva's bill. Many more grassroots advocates from across the country will be joining them by contacting their representative. At this crucial moment we must raise our voices in unison!
Momentum is building. Let's not hesitate!
DREAM Act
The DREAM Act continues to gain momentum.
Take Action:
Sign the official petition!
287(g) Agreements
Arizona is now one of the leading states with a total of eight 287(g) agreements. It is not surprising, since Sheriff Arpaio has long been known for his ethically dubious actions in law enforcement due to the 287(g) agreement with Maricopa County. On March 3, the Government Accountability Office released a report citing deep flaws in the 287(g) program that could result in "misuse of authority." The next day, a Congressional Hearing on the 287(g) program was held. Following the hearing, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that they would rewrite the 287(g) program to address the concerns raised in the Government Accountability Report. It could be months before we see any changes to the program, but we will continue to monitor ICE. Meanwhile, Sheriff Joe continued his quest for media attention in an appearance on The Colbert Report earlier this week. Stephen Colbert didn't get any clear answers from Arpaio, but he did bring up the East Valley Tribune's Pulitzer winning “Reasonable Doubt”, an excellent 5-part investigation of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Department's enforcement effort.
 ColorLines, a national newsmagazine on race and politics, published a map which identifies the state that are pro or anti place for and immigrants. It shows the sanctuary cities across the country; an estimate of the number of agreements each state has with the federal government to check people’s immigration status; and the state laws prohibiting immigrants from having driver’s licenses.
Take Action:
Demand an investigation of Sheriff Arpaio's tactics from the Department of Justice. If you've already signed the petition, please spread the word.
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