Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Overview

The current U.S. immigration system is in need of fundamental reform. The current immigration laws are out of tune with our country’s economy, and millions of close family members remain in visa backlogs for years, waiting to be reunited with their families. Furthermore, more immigrants are paying large sums to smugglers and risking their lives to work and be reunited with their families; the number of border deaths has increased dramatically in recent years, now reaching nearly one death per day. There are approximately eight to ten million undocumented immigrants living and working in the U.S., filling essential gaps in the labor market while enduring low wages and poor working conditions. These workers often live in the shadows of society, often using false identification documents, and fearful of reporting crimes to the police.

Information on the Immigration Debate

NCLR supports comprehensive immigration reform that includes the following principles: 1) a path to citizenship for the current undocumented population; 2) the creation of new legal channels for future immigrant workers; 3) a reduction of family immigration backlogs; and 4) the protection of civil rights and civil liberties. By legalizing immigrants who live, work, and contribute to life in the U.S., the U.S. could deal fairly with hardworking people who have responded to an economic reality ignored by the law. At the same time, the U.S. can become more secure by enforcing the new law and by allowing undocumented immigrants to come out of the shadows and participate fully in their communities.

Both the House and Senate leadership have made immigration reform a priority for 2007, and President Bush has spoken about the need for comprehensive reform. In early 2007 Representatives Gutierrez (D-IL) and Flake (R-AZ) introduced the bipartisan "Security through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy Act of 2007" ("STRIVE Act"). The STRIVE Act contains all of the key elements of comprehensive immigration reform and improves upon last year's Senate bill. The Senate acted on immigration reform in 2007, but failed to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill. Summaries of Senate action are available below. It is unclear whether the House will attempt to move immigration reform legislation in 2007. NCLR will continue to work toward comprehensive immigration reform.

For more information about comprehensive immigration reform, see the Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CCIR) website, www.cirnow.org.

NCLR is engaged in many immigration issues including the REAL ID Act, state and local police enforcement of immigration laws, the DREAM Act, AgJOBS, driver’s license access for immigrants, and post 9-11 civil liberties.

For basic facts on immigration, click here. For information on integrating immigrants into American life, click here.

The National White Ribbon Campaign for Dialogue is an attempt to engage in peaceful dialogue around the issue of immigration in the United States. All organizations that sign on to the White Ribbon Campaign call for a respectful and constructive debate on immigration matters and reject deplorable tactics such as intimidation, violence and threats, and the spread of fear, hatred, and divisiveness. For more information on the National White Ribbon Campaign go to www.whiteribbon.org

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