Contact your Representatives to oppose harsh and restrictive immigration measures and to support comprehensive immigration reform

 

Background. On July 19, 2005, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops endorsed the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act (S. 1033, HR 2330), comprehensive immigration reform legislation which provides undocumented immigrants an opportunity to earn permanent residency; creates legal avenues to migration through a temporary worker program; and reduces backlogs in family-based immigration categories. The legislation was introduced by Senator John McCain (R-Az.) and Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) in the U.S. Senate and Representatives Jim Kolbe (R-Az.), Jeff Flake (R-Az.), and Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) in the House of Representatives.  

 

Issue. Congress is poised to consider the issue of immigration reform in the days and months ahead. The House of Representatives may seriously consider the issue after they return from the Columbus Day recess October 18. It is expected that the House leadership will support the enactment of restrictive immigration enforcement legislation and not seriously consider comprehensive immigration reform, including the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act (HR 2033).

 

Action. Please contact your representatives in the next two weeks asking them to cosponsor the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act (HR 2330) and to oppose restrictive enforcement measures as a solution to the current immigration crisis. A sample letter is attached which can be used to write your representative. In the best interest of time, you should either FAX the letter to either their national or local office or contact the office via phone to communicate your message. You may obtain the fax number of your representative’s office by calling 202-225-3121.

 

Message. The following message should be conveyed to your representative: 

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear:

 

I write to ask for your co-sponsorship and support of H.R. 2330, the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005, and for your opposition to punitive and restrictive immigration enforcement proposals which may come before the U.S. House of Representatives.

 

As you know, the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005 was recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Jim Kolbe (R-Az.), Jeff Flake (R-Az.), and Luis Gutierrez (D-Il.) The legislation represents a comprehensive, bipartisan, and bicameral approach to immigration reform and would help repair our broken immigration system. It provides a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and expands the availability of employment-based and family-based visas. It also improves the ability of the U.S. government to strengthen enforcement of our immigration laws without violating basic human dignity. I ask that you cosponsor and support this important legislation.

 

I also ask that you oppose overly punitive and harsh immigration enforcement measures which may come before the U.S. House of Representatives. Such measures will not, in my opinion, solve our current immigration crisis. Our nation has spent billions on border enforcement during the past several years, while the number of undocumented has nearly doubled. Instead of more restrictive measures, legal status and legal avenues should be provided to migrants so they may “come out of the shadows” and migrate in a safe, legal, and orderly manner.

 

In conclusion, I believe that the enactment of comprehensive immigration reforms, such as those contained in the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005, is the best prescription for an immigration system which is broken and needs repair. I ask for your cosponsorship and support of this important and timely bill.

 

Sincerely,