Immigration Reform

5.24.13- 6.3.13

Field Toolkit

 Photo: Faith Leaders Pray in Hart Senate building during Senate Judiciary Mark Up

Overview:

For the last few months, people of faith have dominated news headlines and defined the terms of the national debate for comprehensive immigration reform. People of faith have been an extremely important part of this movement both in creating hundreds even thousands of congressional visits, actions, vigils and by calling into their senators leading up to and during the recent amendment process in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which helped get modest improvements to the bill and defend the bill against anti-immigrant amendments.

Momentum

We must drive this momentum we’ve generated and continue it during this important upcoming Memorial Day congressional recess. From Friday, May 24 thru Sunday, June 2, Senators and House members will be back at home, meeting with constituents, donors, and voters where they’ll be confronted about several issues, and immigration will be central.

Escalation
We are entering a new phase as now the bipartisan Senate bill goes to the floor for debate in June, and a House bill becomes more public. We must escalate our actions. We need to know where our elected officials stand, continue to isolate the opposition and not allow them to hijack or take control of the immigration debate with fear tactics, and continue to activate our supporters to be vocal and visible in the push forward. We need to continue to show the strength and power of our movement, and work to protect and extend the path to citizenship for all and ensure family unity is at the heart of the reform law.

This Memorial Day recess should focus on three areas:

Congressional Visits: Schedule meetings with members of Congress and/or their staff to share your stories, leave behind the report about the economic benefits of immigration reform for the state. Neighbor-to-Neighbor Toolkit IIC resource on Congressional Visits.

Raise Visibility at Congressional Town Halls: Organize lots of people to attend and speak at congressional town halls to urge Senator and Representatives to support Immigration Reform. Call Your Senator Today and Ask when and where the Town Hall Meetings will be held. Find Preliminary List at this Link

Interfaith Vigils: Bring together many people of faith and pray for immigration reform at a symbolic public place, even the Senator’s office. Family Unity Vigil Toolkit

Veterans and Memorial Day: Join a Memorial day event with immigrant veterans, Op-eds from Immigrant Veterans or faith leaders who are veterans.

Goals:

• Schedule Local Congressional Meetings- Neighbor to Neighbor Visits- over recess May24- June 3^rd, try and get a face to face with member if possible.
• Get Senators and House members on the record in support of comprehensive immigration reform
•  Escalate activities and visibility in the community, to Senators and members of Congress, and neutralize any opposition that may arise to make sure the public narrative is one of welcoming immigrants
• Lift up the faith voice and show support in numbers from your congregation
•  Generate local media news coverage of local and state events about our core principles and the faith perspective
• Continue the momentum that America needs a solution to our broken immigration system this year

Draft Talking Points for Congressional Visits

Introductions: The Facilitator should start the meeting by thanking the member for their time, introducing

the group as a whole, and then having each person introduce themselves. Each participant should state the faith community they represent to show the power of the group.

People of faith throughout _____________ (town/city/state) are committed to acting out our faith by

being good neighbors to immigrant families. We do this by _______________ (describe the work you and other faith communities have done in support of immigrants – ESL classes, legal clinics, advocacy, etc.

We are encouraged by the work of the bipartisan group of 8 senators who have drafted the immigration bill, S.744, that recently was approved by a bipartisan group of senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee. We would like to share with you why this legislation is so important to us, and urge your support to help enact immigration reform that prioritizes family unity and creates a pathway to citizenship.

Personal Story: Share a personal story showing the need for immigration reform.

Specific Issue Points: Provide the materials, including the Interfaith Immigration Coalition’s Letter for Compassionate Immigration Reform and compiled faith statements regarding S.744, and explain why specific issues, such as family unity and a path to full citizenship, are important to your community.

Path to Full Citizenship – Currently, there are very few ways for someone who is undocumented,

including undocumented youth, to become documented. We have been generally pleased thus far that the Senate bill would create a process by which undocumented immigrants can earn a pathway to full

citizenship. We are concerned, however, that many people would not be eligible due to the stringent income and employment criteria, and the cut-off date of January 1, 2012. We urge Senators to support amendments to make the pathway to citizenship more accessible, and to oppose amendments that would delay or narrow the pathway laid out in the current Senate bill.

Family Unity – Families are the basic unit of strong communities. Thousands of families have been

separated by detention and deportation, and should be reunited. Lengthy visa backlogs force families to choose between being separated for extended periods of time or illegally entering the country.

Immigration reform must strengthen the family immigration system. We appreciate the positive reforms to family unity in the bill, specifically making it easier for green card holders to reunite with their spouse and minor children. We are disappointed, however, that the current Senate bill would prevent U.S. citizens from sponsoring their sister, brother, and married children over the age of 30. We urge Senators to support amendments that would make it easier for these family members to be reunited.

Humanitarian Principles – Record deportations and record spending on interior enforcement and

border security have led to hundreds of thousands families being separated. It is now time to reform the broken immigration system. We urge Senators to oppose amendments that would make the enforcement ‘triggers’ more stringent and unnecessarily increase enforcement actions.

Make your ask: We believe that in order to truly be good neighbors to immigrants living and working in our communities, we must recognize the contributions and value they bring. Can we count on your support for the immigration reform bill, and for amendments that help reunite separated families and make the pathway to citizenship more accessible? How can we best support you in our mutual goal?

Listen well and take notes. Much of advocacy involves providing opportunities for the member to ask questions, looking for indications of their, and finding opportunities to provide helpful information. Members and staff will appreciate the chance to be heard instead of only being talked at. Ask questions and engage in conversation. Answer questions honestly. If you don’t know the answer, say that you don’t know but you will find out. Assign one person in the group to follow up.

Thank you & invitation to prayer vigil: Thank you for your time and support. We will be hosting a prayer vigil for immigration reform in the upcoming weeks. Can we count on your attendance?

Remember to get the contact information and cards for the staffers you meet. Consider also asking the member and staff to take a photo with your group – most politicians love the photo op!

Resources from Partner Groups

http://allintowin.seiu.org/immigration

http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/just-facts/economics-immigration-resource-page

http://allianceforcitizenship.org/

Sample Actions During 5.24- 6.3 Recess

• NETWORK’s Nuns on the Bus are coming to Greenville, SC to support commonsense immigration reform. Prayer Vigil and music will be followed by a talk by Sr. Simone Campbell Sunday 6/1/13 1 PM St. Anthony of Padua – https://www.facebook.com/events/242920822517193/

• Chicago Religious Leadership Network of Latin America  Interfaith Prayer Day for Immigration Reform will be hosted by our partners at DePaul University!  Join Methodist BishopSally Dyck, UCC Associate Conference Minister Vertie Powers, Rabbi Brandt Rosen, and leaders of all faiths as we lift our voices for a reform bill which reflects our values of fairness and compassion.Immediately following the event, a delegation of religious leaders will walk to the Federal Building for meetings with the offices of Senators Kirk and Durbin. http://www.crln.org/event/PrayerDay_5_13

Get your event in the media- see communications toolkit here

Sample Media Advisory Template

 For Immediate Release:                                      Contact: NAME, PHONE ##

April XX, 2013

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

THURSDAY MAY 23, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. (ET)

National Leaders and Families Keep Up Momentum for Immigration Reform

Teams of Faith Leaders and Families to Deliver Book of Testimonies to Senators Leaving on Recess

WASHINGTON, DC – As the bipartisan immigration bill heads to the Senate floor, the momentum escalates as people across the country raise their voices for commonsense immigration reform. National immigration reform leaders and immigrant families will echo this call tomorrow, announcing the next steps ahead to ensure passage of a smart and fair bill in the Senate.

National leaders will speak briefly then send off teams of families and faith leaders who will spread across key Senate offices delivering a book of testimonies and offering prayers of reflection to Senators leaving for recess. The personal entries in the book are authored by diverse aspiring citizens from across the nation who supports reform. Each visiting team will ask Senators to spend their flight home reading about the impact of the broken immigration system on American families.

Also at the press conference, the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM) will launch “Remember November,” a campaign where over the Memorial Day congressional recess, FIRM members in 30 states will lead over 100 voter registration rallies, town hall meetings, marches and congressional visits to remind Republicans of the power of the Latino and immigrant vote.

Latinos marched, rallied and voted in November, successfully putting pro-immigration reform lawmakers into office. We urge Republicans to remember our power as they continue to debate the immigration bill.

WHAT:

WHAT: Immigration Leaders from [ORGANIZATION NAME] React to Senate Immigration Bill

WHEN: DATE AND TIME

WHERE: LOCATION

SPEAKERS:  NAME, TITLE

###

Sample Op-Eds (Example from Phoenix Bishop) http://www.azcentral.com/opinions/articles/20130422bishops-long-necessary-migrant-reform-reach-last.html

Getting an Op-Ed Placed Generally it is good to look for a friend who knows the editorial staff. It is often helpful to have it signed by 2-3 faith leaders or community leaders, the more well known they are, the more likely it is to get placed. It is wise to submit your Op-Ed 4-5 days before you hope it would be placed, because there is usually a queue from others who have submitted on a similar issue.

Social Media

Facebook: Take photos at the event and post to their facebook page. Tag friends in the photo as a way to show their support for the event. Use Facebook app on smart phone to load photos, and quotes quickly. Post on your local coalitions FB Page.

Twitter: Ask members to tweet using the hashtags that follow: #TimeIsNow #familyunity #faith4citizenship #CIR #RI4A #A10 #not1more #niunomas

Suggested tweets:

• · The #TimeIsNow that we treat all people with respect, and create a path to citizenship for immigrants! #Faith4Citizenship
• · I support immigration reform because families are too important to be destroyed over this #timeisnow lets do this! #familyunity
• · My Faith Tradition tells me to welcome the sojourner and love my neighbor #familyunity #timeisnow #faith4citizenship
• · I’m here today to let @SENATOR/ Representative_NAME know it’s been too long. It’s time to create a path to citizenship. @TimeIsNow
• · Faith Communities welcome a pathway to citizenship, but lets make sure #familyunity is a priority #faith4citizenship #timeisnow
• · Enough separation of families #not1more stop deporting our friends and congregants #timeisnow #familyunity

Interview each other, put up quotes of faith leaders. Take pictures of each other at events, and ask each other why they support immigration reform. Then your members, or you, can send this information in to nandersen@churchworldservice.org

Sign up events and actions at http://www.interfaithimmigration.org/state-resources/register-your-public-action-vigil/

Outside of the Mark Up space, faith leaders both at the National and local levels from throughout the country participated in vigils, a jericho walk, and a public prayer witness in the Senate Hart building, drawing attention from media. Faith leaders joined actions in several Senators’ offices, at Sen. Sessions and Grassley’s office we pushed against the anti-immigrant amendments they proposed, said prayers and read scripture in their office. Senator Grassley’s Chief of Staff even prayed the Lord’s Prayer with us. The power of prayer strengthened and heartened so many impacted people who journeyed far to tell their stories to decision makers about how the broken immigration system separated their families. Several representatives from impacted families were chosen to go meet President Obama and faith leaders gathered to pray over them, and send them off with with faith and courage.

The power of faith continues to be critical in this struggle for immigrant justice and we urge each congregant, each activist, each member of a faith community to get engaged on this issue today in your state. Its up to you to make sure your Senator and Representative vote the right way on immigration reform.

By Rev. Noel Andersen

We appreciate everyone’s calls and support. Over 3,000 calls were placed to Senators on the Judiciary Committee during the mark-up process. In addition, numerous of you set up meetings with the Senators offices. Your wonderful advocacy has paid off; this is a milestone for immigration reform. Thank you for all of your help!

In the upcoming weeks and months, the Senate and House will both have bills that will be debated, voted on, and reformed until they reach a consensus. We will need your continued support and advocacy.

Attached is a wonderful article about the passage of the bill. Included are wonderful illustrations of immigration waves in history.

Washington Post Article on Passage of Immigration Bill to Senate Floor

On Tuesday, May 21, the Senate Judiciary Committee will be considering amendments relating to family unity and the pathway to citizenship in the bipartisan immigration bill, S. 744. Judiciary committee members need to hear from all people of faith across the country – not just those who live in their states – about how these amendments will impact our communities. Please call all day Tuesday, May 21 and prepare for calls throughout this week.

Please call 1-866-940-2439  to speak with the office of a specific Judiciary Committee member.

Below is a sample script. If you get an answering machine, please leave a message. Staff will be reporting to members about the number of calls for and against each amendment. More information on the amendments is below.

NOTE: Please refer to each amendment by the sponsor’s NAME and associated NUMBER.

“As a person of faith, I urge the Senator to SUPPORT Senator Hirono’s Amendment #10, and all Hirono and Blumenthal amendments to improve family unity and make the pathway to citizenship more accessible.

I also urge the Senator to OPPOSE amendments offered by Senators Grassley and Sessions that would narrow or delay the pathway to citizenship.“ 

SUPPORT AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE FAMILY UNITY & PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP

ALL HIRONO AMENDMENTS, ESPECIALLY HIRONO #10 

Hirono #5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13 would allow U.S. citizens to continue sponsoring their siblings and married children over 31, raise the cut-off date for married kids to 39 instead of 31, and improve the likelihood for these family members to be reunited, especially when their U.S. citizen family member has not used the family visa system before or would experience hardship. Hirono #12, 14, 16, 17 would allow individuals to pay fines in installments, allow individuals with registered provisional immigrant (RPI) status to sponsor their spouse and children outside of the U.S., provide access to health care for individuals with RPI status, children and pregnant women, and allow states to provide health care to DREAMers, agricultural workers, and some individuals with RPI status.

ALL BLUMENTHAL AMENDMENTS and FEINSTEIN #14

Blumenthal #1, 11, 14, 15 and Feinstein #14 would expand access to the pathway to citizenship for individuals who entered the U.S. after the bill’s deadline of January 1, 2012, as well as individuals who may not be able to meet the income requirements due to a violation of their rights, or who have committed minor crimes such as missing a hearing or immigration-related violations. Blumenthal #1 (The ‘Little Dreamers Amendment’) would allow children under 18 to access the same five-year path to citizenship currently in the bill for DREAMers. 

OPPOSE ATTEMPTS TO MAKE THE PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP MORE DIFFICULT

ALL GRASSLEY AMENDMENTS and Cruz #3, 4

Grassley #7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 17, 21, 22, 37, 42, 43, 44, 45, 73, 74, 76 would make individuals with RPI status not ‘lawfully present’, which would restrict access to driver’s licenses among other things; deny RPI status to individuals who are in removal proceedings, have been accused of gang involvement, ordered deported or denied asylum; restrict the RPI application periods to 12 months; require DREAMers to pay fines; limit the documents that can be used to prove length of time in the U.S.; make more onerous the employment, education and English requirements; and restrict judicial review of adjustment applications, deportations and bars to entry. Cruz’s amendments would bar undocumented individuals from citizenship and from benefits forever. 

ALL SESSIONS, HATCH and LEE AMENDMENTS

Sessions #10, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33, 35, 43, 47, 48 would delete all points individuals could receive in the merit-based system for being a sibling or married child of a U.S. citizen or being from a diverse country; encourage state anti-immigrant laws; deport people during the implementation of the bill; deny individuals based on speculation that they might use public benefits in the future; and restrict individuals who have been deported or committed a minor crime from the pathway to citizenship. Hatch #3, 5, 14, 23, 24 would mandate DNA samples to apply for the pathway to citizenship; restrict access to health care; and tighten employment criteria and income requirements for those on the pathway to citizenship. Lee #7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17 would restrict individuals from the pathway to citizenship if they have ever attempted to use a fraudulent document or re-entered after being deported, limit the documents that can be used to prove employment; and increase back-taxes to be paid.

*Please note that you likely will not be connected with your own Senator’s office through this number, unless they are a specific Judiciary Committee member. This is the best way to raise our voices at this moment. Judiciary members know they are responsible to ALL of us as they consider amendments. Feel free to call 1-866-940-2439 multiple times to connect with all priority Judiciary members. To call directly, see the committee list at www.judiciary.senate.gov/about/members.cfm. For more information, go to www.interfaithimmigration.org. 

Follow the markup live at a link provided at www.judiciary.senate.gov. On Twitter, use #CIRmarkup,  #SJC (senate judiciary committee),  #timeisnow,  #p2c (path to citizenship).You can also tweet at Judiciary Committee members: @SenatorLeahy,  @SenFeinstein, @ChuckSchumer, @SenatorDurbin, @SenWhitehouse, @amyklobuchar, @alfranken, @ChrisCoons, @SenBlumenthal, @maziehirono, @ChuckGrassley, @OrrinHatch, @SenatorSessions, @LindseyGrahamSC, @JohnCornyn, @SenMikeLee, @tedcruz, @JeffFlake

Comprehensive immigration reform should accomplish the following:

• Uphold family unity as a priority of all immigration policies
• Create a process for undocumented immigrants to earn their legal status and eventual citizenship
• Protect all workers and provide efficient channels of entry for new migrant workers
• Facilitate immigrant integration
• Restore due process protections and reform detention policies
• Align the enforcement of immigration laws with humanitarian values

Click here to learn more about these principles.

Please call 1-866-940-2439 to speak with the office of a specific Judiciary Committee member.
Below is a sample script. If you get an answering machine, please leave a message. Staff will be reporting to members about the number of calls for and against each amendment. More information on the amendments is below.
NOTE: Please refer to each amendment by the sponsor’s NAME and associated NUMBER.

“As a person of faith, I urge the Senator to OPPOSE amendments offered by Senators Graham, Grassley and Sessions that which would prevent refugees and asylum seekers from seeking safety and protection, needlessly expand immigration detention, and narrow or delay the pathway to citizenship.

I also urge the Senator to SUPPORT amendments to improve family unity and make the pathway to citizenship more accessible – including all Hirono, Blumenthal, Franken and Coons amendments.”

OPPOSE AMMENDMENTS THAT WOULD HURT REFUGEES, ASYLUM SEEKERS, AND INDIVIDUALS PURSUING CITIZENSHIP

GRAHAM AMENDMENTS #1 and #3, and Cruz #2, 3, 4
Graham #1 would terminate protection for refugees, asylees and stateless persons in the U.S. if they return to their country of origin. Some people risk their lives to return to see a dying loved one, aid with the care and protection of their children, or advance human rights. Graham #3 would require an additional layer of screening for RPI applicants from certain countries, which could delay protection for individuals fleeing persecution. Cruz’s amendments would bar undocumented individuals from citizenship and from benefits forever.

ALL GRASSLEY AMENDMENTS
Grassley #25, 26, 27, 52 would strike all of the positive refugee and asylum provisions from the base bill, including provisions that would improve access to life-saving protection for religious minorities in Iran and stateless people currently without legal protection. Grassley #52 in particular would delay positive changes to the asylum and student visa provisions in the bill by falsely conflating them with the Boston Marathon bombings. Grassley #40, 41, 47, 51, 53 would weaken due process and broaden the use of immigration detention. Grassley #7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 17, 21, 22, 37, 42, 43, 44, 45, 73, 74, 76 would make individuals with RPI status not ‘lawfully present’, which would restrict access to driver’s licenses among other things; deny RPI status to individuals who are in removal proceedings, have been accused of gang involvement, ordered deported or denied asylum; restrict the RPI application periods to 12 months; require DREAMers to pay fines; limit the documents that can be used to prove length of time in the U.S.; make more onerous the employment, education and English requirements; and restrict judicial review of adjustment applications, deportations and bars to entry.

ALL SESSIONS, HATCH and LEE AMENDMENTS
Sessions #3, 10, 12, 17, 33, 34, 39 would penalize immigrants who use public assistance; increase minimum bond amounts; encourage racial profiling and anti-immigrant ordinances; and indefinitely stall the temporary worker program. Sessions #10, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33, 35, 43, 47, 48 would delete all points individuals could receive in the merit-based system for being a sibling or married child of a U.S. citizen or being from a diverse country; encourage state anti-immigrant laws; deport people during the implementation of the bill; deny individuals based on speculation that they might use public benefits in the future; and restrict individuals who have been deported or committed a minor crime from the pathway to citizenship. Hatch #19, 20 and Lee #16, 17 would prevent vulnerable populations, including those who have sought asylum but been denied, from relief and protection if they have ever attempted to use a false passport. Hatch #3, 5, 14, 23, 24 would mandate DNA samples to apply for the pathway to citizenship; restrict access to health care; and tighten employment criteria and income requirements for those on the pathway to citizenship. Lee #7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17 would restrict individuals from the pathway to citizenship if they entered the U.S. after 2009, have ever attempted to use a fraudulent document or re-entered after being deported, limit the documents that can be used to prove employment; and increase back-taxes to be paid.

SUPPORT AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE FAMILY UNITY & PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP

ALL HIRONO AMENDMENTS
Hirono #5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13 would allow U.S. citizens to continue sponsoring their siblings and married children over 31, raise the cut-off date for married kids to 39 instead of 31, and improve the likelihood for these family members to be reunited, especially when their U.S. citizen family member has not used the family visa system before or would experience hardship. Hirono #12, 14, 16, 17 would allow individuals to pay fines in installments, allow individuals with registered provisional immigrant (RPI) status to sponsor their spouse and children outside of the U.S., provide access to health care for individuals with RPI status, children and pregnant women, and allow states to provide health care to DREAMers, agricultural workers, and some individuals with RPI status.

ALL BLUMENTHAL, FRANKEN, COONS AMENDMENTS and FEINSTEIN #14
Blumenthal #1, 11, 14, 15 and Feinstein #14 would expand access to the pathway to citizenship for individuals who entered the U.S. after the bill’s deadline of January 1, 2012, as well as individuals who may not be able to meet the income requirements due to a violation of their rights, or who have committed minor crimes such as missing a hearing or immigration-related violations. Blumenthal #1 (The ‘Little Dreamers Amendment’) would allow children under 18 to access the same five-year path to citizenship currently in the bill for DREAMers.
Blumenthal #2, 7, 8, 13, 17; Franken #7, 9 and Coons #6, 8, 12, 13 would help survivors of genocide and domestic violence; protect children and improve oversight in detention and deportation proceedings; allow asylum seekers to work while they await their hearings; codify ICE policy restricting immigration enforcement actions at schools, hospitals, and places of worship.

*Please note that you likely will not be connected with your own Senator’s office through this number, unless they are a specific Judiciary Committee member. This is the best way to raise our voices at this moment. Judiciary members know they are responsible to ALL of us as they consider amendments. Feel free to call 1-866-940-2439 multiple times to connect with all priority Judiciary members. To call directly, see the committee list at www.judiciary.senate.gov/about/members.cfm. For more information, go to www.interfaithimmigration.org.

Follow the markup live at a link provided at www.judiciary.senate.gov. On Twitter, use #CIRmarkup, #SJC (senate judiciary committee), #timeisnow, #p2c (path to citizenship).You can also tweet at Judiciary Committee members: @SenatorLeahy, @SenFeinstein, @ChuckSchumer, @SenatorDurbin, @SenWhitehouse, @amyklobuchar, @alfranken, @ChrisCoons, @SenBlumenthal, @maziehirono, @ChuckGrassley, @OrrinHatch, @SenatorSessions, @LindseyGrahamSC, @JohnCornyn, @SenMikeLee, @tedcruz, @JeffFlake

Action Alert: CALLS needed WED, May 15, THURS, May 16 & FRI, May 17

On Thursday, May 16, and Friday, May 17, the Senate Judiciary Committee will consider amendments relating to refugees, asylees, and other vulnerable populations in the bipartisan immigration bill, S. 744. In addition, they will continue to consider amendments on worker visas and interior enforcement. Committee members need to hear from people of faith across the country – not just those who live in their states – about the impact these amendments will have on our communities. Please call all day Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Please call 1-866-940-2439 to speak with the office of a specific Judiciary Committee member.

Below is a sample script. If you get an answering machine, please leave a message. More information on the amendments is below. Please refer to each amendment by sponsor NAME and NUMBER. All day Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, staff will be reporting to Senators on the number of calls for and against each amendment.

“As a person of faith, I urge the Senator to OPPOSE Graham Amendment #1 and ALL Grassley amendments, which would prevent refugees and asylum seekers from seeking safety and protection, and would needlessly expand immigration detention.

Also, I urge the Senator to SUPPORT all amendments by Senators Franken, Coons, and Blumenthal, which would improve the lives of vulnerable populations, including survivors of domestic abuse.”

OPPOSE

GRAHAM AMENDMENT #1

This amendment would terminate protection for refugees, asylees and stateless persons living in the U.S. if they return to their country of origin. People who return to their country of origin are often risking their lives to see a dying loved one, aid with the care and protection of their children, or advance human rights.

ALL GRASSLEY AMENDMENTS

These amendments (specifically #25, #26, #27, and #52) would strike all of the positive refugee and asylum provisions from the base bill, including provisions that would improve access to life-saving protection for religious minorities in Iran and stateless people currently without legal protection. Grassley #52 in particular would delay positive changes to the asylum and student visa provisions in the bill by falsely conflating them with the Boston Marathon bombings. Grassley #40, #41, #47, #51 and #53 weaken due process and broaden the use of immigration detention. Also, Grassley #73 and #74 would negatively impact temporary workers.

ALL SESSIONS AMENDMENTS, Lee #16, #17, #19 and Hatch #19, #20

These amendments would prevent vulnerable populations, including those who have sought asylum but been denied, from relief and protection if they have ever attempted to use a false passport. Also, these amendments would enable employers to violate the rights of temporary workers by not requiring standard labor laws. Sessions #3, #10, #12, #17, #33, #34, and #39 would penalize immigrants who use public assistance programs; increase minimum bond amounts; encourage racial profiling and local anti-immigrant ordinances; and indefinitely stall the temporary worker program.

SUPPORT ALL FRANKEN, COONS AND BLUMENTHAL AMENDMENTS

These amendments, specifically Franken #7 and #9; Coons #6, #8, #12, and #13; and Blumenthal #2, #7, #8, #13, #14, #17, and #18, would help survivors of genocide and domestic violence; protect children and vulnerable individuals and improve oversight in detention and deportation proceedings; allow asylum seekers to work while they await their hearings; codify ICE policy restricting immigration enforcement actions at schools, hospitals, and places of worship; help temporary workers; and expand access to the pathway to citizenship.

*Please note that you likely will not be connected with your own Senator’s office through this number, unless they are a specific Judiciary Committee member. This is the best way to raise our voices at this moment. Judiciary members know they are responsible to ALL of us as they consider amendments. Feel free to call       1-866-940-2439 multiple times to connect with all priority members. To call directly, see the Committee list at www.judiciary.senate.gov/about/members.cfm. For more information go to www.interfaithimmigration.org.

Follow the markup live at a link provided at www.judiciary.senate.gov. On Twitter, use #CIRmarkup,  #SJC (senate judiciary committee),  #timeisnow,  #p2c (path to citizenship).You can also tweet at Judiciary Committee members:@SenatorLeahy,  @SenFeinstein, @ChuckSchumer, @SenatorDurbin, @SenWhitehouse, @amyklobuchar, @alfranken, @ChrisCoons, @SenBlumenthal, @maziehirono, @ChuckGrassley, @OrrinHatch, @SenatorSessions, @LindseyGrahamSC, @JohnCornyn, @SenMikeLee, @tedcruz, @JeffFlake

On Tuesday, May 14, the Senate Judiciary Committee will be considering amendments relating to employment-based visas in the bipartisan immigration bill, S. 744. Judiciary committee members need to hear from people of faith across the country – not just those who live in their states – about the impact these amendments will have on our communities. Please call all day Monday and Tuesday.

Please call 1-866-940-2439 to speak with the office of a specific Judiciary Committee member.

Below is a sample script. If you get an answering machine, please leave a message. All day Monday and Tuesday staff will be reporting on the number of calls for and against each amendment to the Senators. More information on the amendments is below. NOTE: Please refer to each amendment by the sponsor’s NAME and associated NUMBER.

“As a person of faith, I urge the Senator to SUPPORT all immigration amendments being offered by Senator Blumenthal, and Schumer #5, which would protect immigrant workers.

I also urge you to OPPOSE amendments that would hurt immigrant workers, specifically Sessions #3, Lee #19, Hatch #19 and #20, and Grassley #73 and #74.”

SUPPORT

Senator Blumenthal’s Amendments #7, #13, #17, and #18

These amendments would ban hiring discrimination based on national origin or citizenship status, provide whistleblower protections for temporary workers, ensure workers have the right to a pay stub so that they can prove employment status for the pathway to citizenship, and codify current ICE policy restricting immigration enforcement actions where labor violations have been cited, so a threat of raids won’t keep workers from reporting abuse.                 

Senator Schumer’s Amendment #5

This amendment would help workers change employers without the risk of losing their visa, and would provide an electronic monitoring system for the program.

OPPOSE

Senator Sessions’ Amendment #3

This amendment would prevent any guest workers from entering the U.S. if the unemployment rate is 5 percent or more. This is such a low threshold that it could effectively keep all guest workers from immigrating to the U.S.

Senator Lee’s Amendment #19 and Senator Hatch’s Amendments #19 and #20

These amendments would exempt employers of temporary workers from complying with labor and employment laws, thus allowing them to violate the rights of temporary workers; and would limit the ability of individuals and groups from submitting a complaint about worker’s mistreatment on behalf of a mistreated temporary worker.

Senator Grassley’s Amendments #73 & #74

These amendments would restrict temporary workers (new “W” visa recipients) from renewing their visas, and would require all temporary workers to provide proof that they can and are paying for their own health insurance, which could effectively prevent almost all temporary workers from entering the U.S.

*Please note that you likely will not be connected with your own Senator’s office through this number, unless they are a specific Judiciary Committee member. This is the best way to raise our voices at this moment. Judiciary members know they are responsible to ALL of us as they consider amendments. Feel free to call 1-866-940-2439 multiple times to connect with all priority Judiciary members. The Judiciary Committee list can be found at www.judiciary.senate.gov/about/members.cfm, if you want to call directly.

Follow the markup live at a link provided at www.judiciary.senate.gov. On Twitter, use #CIRmarkup,  #SJC (senate judiciary committee),  #timeisnow,  #p2c (path to citizenship).You can also tweet at Judiciary Committee members: @SenatorLeahy,  @SenFeinstein, @ChuckSchumer, @SenatorDurbin, @SenWhitehouse, @amyklobuchar, @alfranken, @ChrisCoons, @SenBlumenthal, @maziehirono, @ChuckGrassley, @OrrinHatch, @SenatorSessions, @LindseyGrahamSC, @JohnCornyn, @SenMikeLee, @tedcruz, @JeffFlake

For more information, go to www.interfaithimmigration.org. 

URGENTE Alerta de Acción: Llamadas necesarias el lunes, 13 de mayo y martes, 14 de mayo

El martes 14 de mayo, el Comité Judicial del Senado va a considerar las enmiendas asociadas a las visas de empleo en el proyecto bipartidista de reforma migratoria S. 744. Miembros del Comité Judicial necesitan escuchar de toda la gente de fe que vive alrededor del país – no sólo de los que viven en sus estados – acerca de cómo estas enmiendas impactaran a nuestras comunidades. Por favor de llamar durante todo el día el  lunes y el martes.

Por favor llame al 1-866-940-2439 para hablar con la oficina de un miembro del Comité Judicial. A continuación se muestra una escritura que puede utilizar. Si usted recibe una máquina de contestar, deje un mensaje. El personal estará informando a los miembros sobre el número de llamadas que reciben a favor y en contra de cada enmienda. Más detalles sobre las enmiendas están por debajo. NOTA: Por favor, refiérase a cada enmienda por el nombre del patrocinador y número asociado (por ejemplo: Sessions número tres).

Como una persona de fe, insto al senador a que apoye todas las enmiendas de inmigración propuestas por el senador Blumenthal y Schumer número cinco, que protegerían  a los trabajadores inmigrantes.

También insto a que el senador se oponga a todas las enmiendas que perjudicarían a los trabajadores inmigrantes, específicamente Sessions número tres, Lee número diecinueve, Hatch número diecinueve y  número veinte, y Grassley número setenta y tres y número setenta y cuatro.

APOYAR

Senador Blumenthal Enmiendas número siete, número trece, número diecisiete y número dieciocho

Estas enmiendas prohibirían discriminación durante la contratación basada en el origen nacional o estatus de ciudadanía, proveería protección para trabajadores temporales que denuncian estos actos, aseguraría que los trabajadores tengan el derecho a un talón de pago para que puedan confirmar estatus de empleo para el camino a la ciudadanía, y codificaría la póliza actual de ICE restringiendo redadas de inmigración donde se han citado violaciones laborales, para que la amenaza de una redada no vaya impedir que los trabajadores denuncien abusos.         

Senador Schumer Enmienda número cinco

Esta enmienda ayudaria trabajadores cambiar patron sin el riesgo de perder su visa, y va a proveer un sistema electronica para monitorizarlo.

OPONERSE

Senador Sessions Enmienda número tres

Esta enmienda impediría que cualquier trabajador temporal entrara a los EE.UU. si la tasa de desempleo es del 5 por ciento o más (es una tasa muy baja, por lo que mantendría efectivamente a todos los trabajadores temporales de inmigrar a los EE.UU.).

Senador Lee Enmienda número diecinueve – y -Senador Hatch Enmienda número diecinueve y número veinte

Estas enmiendas excusarían a los empleadores de trabajadores temporales de cumplir con las leyes laborales y de empleo, lo que les permitiría violar los derechos de los trabajadores temporales, y limitaría la capacidad de individuos y grupos de presentar una denuncia por el maltrato de los trabajadores en nombre de un trabajador temporal que haya sido maltratado.

Senador Grassley Enmiendas número setenta y tres y número setenta y cuatro

Estas enmiendas limitarían a un trabajador temporal (recipiente de la nueva “W” visa) de renovar su visa, y requeriría a todos los trabajadores temporales que demuestren que pueden y están pagando por su propio seguro de salud (lo que impediría efectivamente a casi todos los trabajadores temporales de entrar a los EE.UU.).

* Por favor, tenga en cuenta que es probable que no sea conectado con la oficina de su propio senador a través de este número, al menos que sea un miembro del Comité Judicial específico. Esta es la mejor manera de elevar nuestras voces en este momento. Miembros del Comité Judicial saben que son responsables a TODOS nosotros mientras consideran las enmiendas. No dude en llamar al 1-866-940-2439 varias veces para ser conectados con todos los miembros prioritarios del Comité Judicial. Puede encontrar la lista del Comité Judicial en www.judiciary.senate.gov/about/members.cfm si quiere llamar directamente.*

Siga la calificación del proyecto bipartidista en vivo en un enlace que aparece en www.judiciary.senate.gov. En Twitter, usen #CIRmarkup, #SJC (Comité Judicial del Senado), #timeisnow, y #p2c (camino a la ciudadanía).También puede comunicarse con miembros del Comité Judicial usando sus nombres: @SenatorLeahy,  @SenFeinstein, @ChuckSchumer, @SenatorDurbin, @SenWhitehouse, @amyklobuchar, @alfranken, @ChrisCoons, @SenBlumenthal, @maziehirono, @ChuckGrassley, @OrrinHatch, @SenatorSessions, @LindseyGrahamSC, @JohnCornyn, @SenMikeLee, @tedcruz, @JeffFlake

Para obtener más información, vaya a www.interfaithimmigration.org.