September 22, 2006
Stop Divisive Immigration Legislation
Call for Social Work Action
Action by social workers is urgently needed to stop punitive enforcement-only and misnamed immigration bills introduced in the House of Representative. It is anticipated that these bills will be supported by the Senate on straight party line votes. Time is of the essence. It is anticipated that action will be taken on these bills by September 29 when Congress is scheduled to start recess.
Issues at Hand
The proposed measures replace President Bush’s far broader proposal for rewriting the immigration laws. The United States immigration system has many flaws and needs reform. Congressional staff refers to the measures being considered as the Border Security Now proposals. NASW contends that national security can be accomplished without sacrificing American values such as civil rights and civil liberties and being supportive of due process.
The Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006, passed by the House on September 21, 2006 requires showing a photo identification that proves U.S. citizenship to vote. This bill affects not only immigrants but U.S. Citizens, mostly the poor and people of color, who cannot produce a passport or a birth certificate. A recent poll conducted by the Center on Policy and Budget Priorities concluded that about 11 million persons do not have the required documents. In reality HR 4844 negates parts of the recently passed Voting Rights Act.
Action Requested
Call your Senators through the Capitol Switchboard 202-224-3121. Your Senators should know that the social work community supports comprehensive immigration reform, and not incremental, anti-immigrant legislation that deprives human beings of dignity, due process, as well as their capacity to become stakeholders in American society. NASW contends that realistic security derives only from comprehensive reform and not intolerance.
Urge them to vote against punitive measures or any combination of initiatives that seek to harm marginalized immigrants and also affect many U.S. citizens. This proposed legislation includes the H.R.6095 (Alien Smuggler Prosecution Act) and provision of H.R.2933 (Alien Gang Removal Act of 2006) which are politically motivated and induced by election-year aspirations.
Contact Lawrence Moore, III or Leticia Diaz at 800-408-8600. |
