Immigration reform

October 13, 2009 -- (Washington DC) At a rally today on the west lawn of the United States Capitol, U.S. Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) addressed a crowd of thousands who demanded change to our nation's broken immigration system. Rep. Gutierrez' address responded to a recent call from the immigration advocacy community to introduce comprehensive immigration reform in the House of Representatives.

Rep. Gutierrez has been actively talking to advocacy and civil rights groups, faith-based groups, labor groups and his colleagues on the Hill to identify the most essential components of such a comprehensive bill. Today he outlined some of those core principles.

In a statement, Rep. Gutierrez said:    » read more »

October 6, 2009 -- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Assistant Secretary John Morton today announced new initiatives as part of the Department's ongoing immigration detention reform efforts—enhancing the security and efficiency of ICE's nationwide detention system while prioritizing the health and safety of detainees.

"These new initiatives will improve accountability and safety in our detention facilities as we continue to engage in smart and effective enforcement of our nation's immigration laws," said Secretary Napolitano.    » read more »

Comments On Administration’s Proposals Regarding SCAAP and Secure Communities Program

May 19, 2009 -- U.S. Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee's Immigration, Refugees and Border Security subcommittee, today issued the following statement regarding President Obama's request to expand the Secure Communities program, which seeks to check the immigration status of every person booked into local jails.

"Checking the immigration status of every incarcerated individual is a laudable goal. In an ideal world, this would already be the status quo. But the reality is our immigration system is deeply flawed and in need of a major overhaul and infusion of resources--which I have been pushing for since I was first elected to the Senate.    » read more »

Richardson calls for new, proactive Cuba policy; criticizes Clinton, Obama, and Biden for voting for border wall

10/24/2007 -- LOS ANGELES, CA-- New Mexico Governor and Democratic Presidential candidate Bill Richardson today unveiled his Latin America policy in a major address entitled "A New Partnership with Latin America" on the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles, California. At the event, hosted by the progressive think tank and advocacy organization NDN, Richardson called for a comprehensive reform of current immigration policy.    » read more »

09/11/2007 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, joined by Governors from 12 other states, today sent the following letter to the leaders of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives urging Congressional action this year on immigration reform that recognizes states’ needs to remain competitive in a global economy:

September 11, 2007

The Honorable Harry Reid
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Minority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi    » read more »

August 24, 2007 -- Washington, DC – United States Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff, asking for further clarification regarding a policy announced by United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) that will require 750,000 legal permanent residents to replace their green cards. The cards, issued between 1977 and 1989, do not have expiration dates. USCIS has announced that they will not contact the card holders, will only allow 120 days to replace their cards, and will need to pay nearly $400.    » read more »

Blunt: "We cannot wait for Washington to stop unlawful immigration"

August 27, 2007 -- JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today said he is not waiting for Washington to enforce federal immigration law as he outlined tough new initiatives to enforce the laws against illegal immigration.    » read more »

August 10, 2007 -- WASHINGTON. DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement on the Administration’s immigration proposal and the new social security no-match regulations.    » read more »

July 2, 2007 -- After Senate Republicans and their right-wing allies defeated bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform last week, The New York Times reported yesterday that the GOP will pay a price in 2008 and lose support from Hispanic voters. As the report notes, “…Hispanics may have been deeply alienated by the heated rhetoric that wound around the axle of the debate, most of it stemming from a few Republican opponents and the loud echo chamber of talk radio.”    » read more »

June 28, 2007 -- Washington, DC– The following is a statement issued by Senator Jim Webb following the failed cloture vote on the immigration bill:    » read more »

06/28/2007 -- The Senate rejected an immigration reform package that Senator Bernie Sanders opposed because it would have driven down wages and benefits for U.S. workers by letting employers recruit lower-paid foreign guest workers.    » read more »

Senator Menendez criticizes role of Bush administration, looks to the future

June 28, 2007 -- WASHINGTON – After a failed cloture vote to end debate and proceed to a final vote on the immigration bill, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), who voted in favor of cloture, today took to the Senate floor to express his disappointment with the bill’s direction and eventual collapse.    » read more »

June 28, 2007 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today voted “Yes” to end debate and proceed to a final vote on the immigration bill, but the bill failed a cloture vote 46-53. Only 24% (12 out of 49) of Republicans voted to proceed on the bill, and two of the Republicans who helped first announce the Grand Bargain even voted against cloture (Sens. Isakson and Chambliss).

Sen. Menendez released the following statement:    » read more »

06/28/2007 -- WASHINGTON D.C. – Senator John Kerry said that the Senate had missed a tremendous opportunity today by failing to enact bi-partisan immigration reform, and promised to work hard with his colleagues to revisit immigration issues later this year.

“This vote didn’t live up to the ideals of the United States of America. This vote broke faith with immigrants who have volunteered to risk their lives on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan,” Kerry said.    » read more »

June 28, 2007 -- “America is a nation of immigrants, but we are a nation that believes in controlled immigration. Since the beginning of the debate on how to fix our broken immigration system, I have emphasized three core concerns: strengthening our borders, holding employers accountable if they hire illegal immigrants, and dealing with the 12 million undocumented immigrants in a way that is practical and fair to American workers and taxpayers.    » read more »