IMMIGRATION REFORM REACHES ANOTHER CRITICAL JUNCTURE: ADDITIONAL ACTION NEEDED NOW!

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From: Asian Law Caucus [ mailto:alc@asianlawcaucus.org]
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 ...

IMMIGRATION REFORM REACHES ANOTHER CRITICAL JUNCTURE: ADDITIONAL ACTION NEEDED NOW!

This week, the Senate will finalize the provisions of the White House spawned 'compromise' immigration reform bill. As we have previously reported, the proposal would deprive millions Americans of the opportunity to petition for their family members abroad. It would also create a complex and costly pathway to legal status for an uncertain number of undocumented immigrants. (For details, click here).

BUT IT MAY BECOME WORSE: In the next few days, in addition to considering amendments that would soften the bill's impact, the Senate will also be considering proposals to make the bill even worse. One proposed amendment would prohibit federal employees from providing information in any other language but English without an express Act of Congress. Other amendments would create new barriers to voting and erode basic due process rights. (For more information about the amendments, click here.)

'SMALL' CHANGES MATTER: While the bill will remain fundamentally flawed, certain amendments would reduce some of the harm it will impose. For example, the present bill will retroactively cut off existing applicants for family based visas. An amendment by Senator Menendez would partially remove the retroactivity provisions, impacting an estimated eight hundred thousand future immigrants. The positive amendments are a moving target but will be voted on in the next two days. (For more information about the amendments by Menendez, Obama, Clinton, and others click here).

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Senate offices are keeping count of the letters and calls they are receiving on the immigration bill and its amendments. At meetings we have had with members of Congress in the past weeks, each has noted the impact that the public response has had on their deliberations. Unfortunately, much of that pressure is coming from the other side. Senator Feinstein mentioned to us that in her entire term in office she has never received so many racially hostile letters and calls. You can help counter the pressure from anti-immigrant forces.

Please take 5 minutes to either SEND A FREE FAX or CALL YOUR SENATORS voicing your opposition to the Senate immigration bill's anti-family provisions, opposing those amendments that would further threaten immigrants in this country, and supporting those amendments that would reduce the harm of the bill. Even if you have sent a previous message, please send another to address this week's new challenges.

Asian Law Caucus
939 Market Street, Suite 201
San Francisco, California 94103-1730