Comprehensive Immigration Reform 2013-2014: The Road Forward from the Church's Perspective
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Transcript of Comprehensive Immigration Reform 2013-2014: The Road Forward from the Church's Perspective
Comprehensive Immigration Reform 2013-2014:
The Road Forward from the Church's Perspective
November 1, 2013
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• Kevin Appleby, Director, Migration Policy and Public Affairs, US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
• Ashley Feasley, Immigration Policy Advisor, USCCB
• Michelle Sardone, Legalization Program Director, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC)
Our Presenters
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• Political overview• House legislation: enforcement• House legislation: legal immigration• House legislation: bills not yet introduced• Messaging• Potential questions/Challenges• Next steps/Moving forward• Preparing for implementation
Our Agenda
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• Strong Senate bill• Divided House Republican Caucus• Implications of Budget Debate/Shutdown• Three Pressure Points: Regular Order,
Democratic bill, Administration• Timeline
Political Overview
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• Border Security Legislation (HR 1417)– Metrics vs. More Resources (Corker-Hoeven)
Strengthen and Fortify Enforcement (SAFE) Act (HR 2278)
Criminalize Undocumented Presence
Criminalize Transporting/Harboring
Authorize State and local law enforcement
Authorize States to pass immigration laws
House Legislation: Enforcement
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• SKILLS Visa Act (HR 2131)– Elimination of Diversity Lottery and Family
Categories– Fundamentally changes purpose of
immigration system: family vs. economy
Ag Act (HR 1773)
Guestworker program for ag workers
No pathway to citizenship
Insufficient worker protections/wages
House Legislation: Legal Immigration
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• KIDS Act (version of DREAM Act)
• Legalization Bill—no path to citizenship
• Asylum “Reform”
• Low-Skilled Guestworker Program
House Legislation: Not Yet Introduced
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• Path to Citizenship: No permanent underclass
• Final product must be comprehensive• Congress must show bipartisan
accomplishment/cooperation• NO SAFE ACT• Suffering (family separation, exploitation,
death) must end
Messaging
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• Legalization: Support to get to conference?
• Position on HR 15 (Senate bill + House border security bill minus Corker-Hoeven)
• Administrative action (timing)• Path to conference committee• Pulling the plug
Potential Questions/Challenges
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• We have until December 2014
• Ongoing Advocacy toward swing members
• Advocacy on detention and deportation issues (Administrative Action)
Path Forward
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• Advocacy – Catholic Call-In Day November 13th
• Community education• Assist potential applicants to prepare• Partner with local immigration legal
service providers• Immigrant integration• Resources
Preparing for Implementation
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• There is NO new law• There is no waiting list• Reputable legal service providers
– https://cliniclegal.org/affiliates/directory– http://www.justice.gov/eoir/ra/raroster.htm– http://www.ailalawyer.com/
• Start saving money
Community Education
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• Immigrant contributions– https://cliniclegal.org/resources/othergeneral/
why-comprehensive-immigration-reform-good-states-without-footnotes-2013
• U.S. Bishops’ statements– https://cliniclegal.org/category/issues/catholic
-social-teaching
• Justice for Immigrants– www.justiceforimmigrants.org
Community Education
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• Translation of home country documents– Partner with consulates
• Address and immigration history – Help organize documents
• Proof of physical presence– How can your agency help?
• Employment/school records
Assisting Potential Applicants Prepare
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• Immigration legal service providers– https://cliniclegal.org/affiliates/directory– http://www.immigrationadvocates.org/nonprof
it/legaldirectory/
– Experts in immigration law• Community presentations• Materials• Consultations
– Need volunteers– Need resources
Partner with Local Experts
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• Financial literacy• Taxes
– Competent tax assistance– Pay your 2013 taxes before 4/15/14
• English classes– Consider starting a class in your community
Immigrant Integration
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• CLINIC’s Preparing for Comprehensive Immigration Reform manual: https://cliniclegal.org/resources/legalization-manual
• CIR planning outline: https://cliniclegal.org/sites/default/files/second_clinic_outline_for_cir_plans_2013_-_question_format_-_final.docx
• Sample funding templates: https://cliniclegal.org/resources/cir-budget-template-affiliates
Resources
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• Tax information:– http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep– http://www.ilrc.org/files/documents/
itin_and_taxpayer_faqs_final.pdf
• ESL providers– https://www.literacydirectory.org/– http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/
pi/AdultEd/englit.html
Resources
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Free Friday Webinars
Nov. 8, 15, and 22 at 2-3:30 pm EST
Recent Trends in State and Local Immigration Enforcement
Immigration Detention: Perspectives from D.C. and the Field
State & Local Immigration Laws: Recap 2013 and 2014 Outlook
https://cliniclegal.org/calendar/webinar-series-hot-topics-immigration-advocacy
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Questions?
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