FREEDOM

Making Immigrants Relevant: Nebraska’s Role in Comprehensive

Immigration Reform

March 10, 2006Midwest Biennial Social Work Conference

Immigrant Rights Network of Iowa and Nebraska

Kristen Hendershot

Margarita Hernandez

Jenna Grotelueschen

Meghan Posey

The Immigration System At A Glance

Five ways for foreign people to come to the United States:

– As an Immigrant– As a Refugee– As an Asylee– As a Non-Immigrant– As an Undocumented Person

Where Are They From?

53% Latin America

25% Asia

14% Europe

8% Rest of the WorldSource: U.S. Census

Bureau

The Immigration System At A Glance

As an Immigrant:

– Family-based system– Quotas and categories– Plagued by backlogs– Nuclear family definition– Unrealistic visa allotments

Preference #

U.S.Sponsor

Relationship VisasAllocated

N/A U.S. citizen Spouses, unmarried minor children, and parents of adult U.S. Citizens

Unlimited

1 U.S. citizen Unmarried adult children

23,400/year*

2A Lawful Permanent Resident

Spouses and minor children

87,900/year

2B Lawful Permanent Resident

Unmarried adult children

26,300/year

3 U.S. citizen Married adult children 23,400/year**

4 U.S. citizen Brothers and sisters 65,000/year***

* Plus any visas left over from the 4th preference** Plus any visas left over from the 1st and 2nd preference*** Plus any visas left over from the previous preferences

Family-Based Preference System

The Immigration System At A Glance

As a Refugee:

Flees their native territory out of fear of persecution or death due to political views, tribal affiliation, religious practice, or the presence of armed conflict (war)

Escapes to a neighboring country, usually living in a U.N. sponsored camp, until receiving “Convention Status,” allowing them to immigrate to a third country

Number of Refugees AllowedYear Ceiling Year Ceiling

1980 231,700 1992 131,000

1981 217,000 1993 142,000

1982 140,000 1994 121,000

1983 90,000 1995 112,000

1984 72,000 1996 90,000

1985 70,000 1997 78,000

1986 67,000 1998 83,000

1987 70,000 1999 91,000

1988 87,500 2000 90,000

1989 116,500 2001 80,000

1990 125,000 2002 70,000

1991 131,000 2003 50,000

In 2004, the total number of refugees allowed in this country was as small as 24,000.

The Immigration System At A Glance

As an Asylee:

Flees for same reasons as a refugee, but comes directly to U.S.

Must prove fear of death

Since 2001, routinely detained

The Immigration System At A Glance

As a Non-Immigrant:

140 million visitors each year– Foreign students– Migrant workers– Tourists

Legitimate purposes – Economic asset to local communities through

work, study and tourism

The Immigration System At A Glance

As an Undocumented Person:

No clear legal channel, EWI

Visa Overstays (to join other family)

Some with quasi-official status– Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

– Domestic Violence Survivors (VAWA)

A broken immigration system…

IMPACTS ON NEBRASKA Divides our families and communities Encourages labor exploitation Ignores diverse contributions Obstructs educational, health, and other

systems Accepts immigrants’ tax dollars and

contributions without allowing their full participation in society

Solutions to the Broken SystemPrinciples for Reform

1. Provide a Path to Permanent Resident Status or Citizenship

2. Reunite Families and Reduce Backlogs

3. Provide Opportunities for Safe Future Migration and Protect Worker Rights

4. Respect safety & security of all in immigration law enforcement

5. Recognize Immigrants’ Full Humanity

6. Restore Fundamental Civil Rights

7. Protect the Rights of Refugees and Asylees

What is Comprehensive Immigration Reform?

At the simplest level, it is reform that addresses not only enforcement, but the whole system – including pathways to citizenship for those already here, and a safe and orderly process for future immigrants.

Current Reform ProposalsThe Good:

Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005 (S. 1033, H.R. 2330)

Senator Hagel’s Package– Strengthening America’s Security Act of 2005 (S. 1916)

– Employment Verification Act of 2005 (S. 1917)

– Strengthening America’s Workforce Act of 2005 (S. 1918)

– Immigrant Accountability Act of 2005 (S. 1919)

Current Reform Proposals

The Bad:

The Border Security and Interior Enforcement Improvement Act of 2005 (S. 2368)

The Ugly:

The Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Act (H.R. 4437)

Areas of Growing Agreement

The system is broken

Security

Immigrant contributions

Refugees and asylees need

more attention

Indications

Recent polls show more than 75% of likely voters agree on these statements:

“The immigration system is broken and needs to be fixed.”

“If an immigrant has been in this country working, paying taxes, and learning English, there should be a way for them to become a citizen.”

“Fixing our immigration system to make it safe, legal, and orderly will make us more secure from terrorists.”

(The Tarrance Group and Lake Snell Perry Mermin, March 2005)

Work Yet To Be Done

Help for the Undocumented

No Clear Claim to Legal Status

Law-abiding in every other aspect

Willing to be held to high standards of citizenship

• English

• Paying Taxes

• Absence of Criminal Record

Unique Opportunities: Nebraska’s Role in the National Debate

Our CIR Principles have shaped the dialogue – First developed here in 2003

Nebraska has a unique context of urban/rural – No “big city” issues like extreme poverty, crime

“New Growth” State – 7th in nation in immigrant percentage growth in last

census

Senator Hagel’s bill may be the compromise

We have the ability to be much more vocal if we have a single message

Essential Elements of Our Campaign

Public education Legislative visits Public media Demonstrations and rallies Public forums and conferences Letter writing campaign Community outreach

– visits with critical leaders– Immersion activities

Connected with national efforts

Advocates want immigration reform, not just border security – 10/12/05

Government representatives all agreed the system is broken but stressed that immigration reform is a monster issue that will take years to fix. – 10/2005

Rally Urges Changes in Immigration

Law – 2/03/06Nelson Proposes Impractical Wall – 3/07/06

Like Kennedy and McCain, Hagel supports some border

enforcement measures, a guest worker program and

increased visas to reunite families. – 2/3/06

Opportunity Knocks Public forum with more than 300 in attendance

Our Future: Building Bridges

Social workers as change agents:

– Building bridges between clients and systems

– Educating clients and systems to combat misperceptions

– Empowering clients to be their own advocates

– Bringing local action to the national level

Action Steps

Get involved in local events that support our newest neighbors

Write a “Letter to the Editor” of local paper and express your support for immigrants/reform

Contact Members of Congress and demand fair and generous comprehensive immigration reform now!

For More Information

Please Visit:

www.neappleseed.orgwww.irnin.org

www.cirnow.orgwww.migrationpolicy.orgwww.urbaninstitute.org