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Thousands gathered outside the historic 16^th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama yesterday to demand the repeal of the state’s harsh anti-immigration law, HB 56. Religious, community and civil rights leaders, as well as a special Congressional delegation, urged state legislators to bring an end to Alabama’s immigration law—a law which continues to slow state businesses, separate families and drive immigrants from the state. The Congressional delegation also held an ad hoc hearing at Birmingham City Hall to hear how the controversial law is effecting state residents, especially the Latino and immigrant communities where, according to Rep. Luis Gutierrez, “the feeling of danger and despair is palpable.” One Congressional member, Rep. Al Green of Texas, commented that the law “deserves to be placed on the trash heap of history.”

During yesterday’s hearing, Birmingham Mayor William Bell told 11 Congressional members that Alabama’s law “smacks of apartheid and Jim Crow laws,” places financial burdens on cities and could force police officers to employ racial profiling. Echoing the mayor’s economic concerns, Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona forewarned that much like Arizona’s SB1070, Alabama’s immigration law “is going to hurt the economy and the social fabric of the state.”

Many are concerned that the law is already jeopardizing foreign investments in the state. Just this week, Alabama police arrested a Mercedes-Benz executive for failure to produce proper documentation. Normally he would have just been issued a ticket, but since the passage of HB 56, police are now required to pursue those suspected of being in the country unlawfully. According to a Mercedes spokeswoman, the Mercedes-Benz executive was visiting from Germany to propose new business plans in Alabama. The German car manufacturer—which has a plant near Tuscaloosa—is Alabama’s largest international trading partner,generating more than 40,000 jobs for the state and $6.8 billion in economic output.

David Bronner, chief executive of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, worries that the law will prevent potential foreign businesses from investing in the state. Currently, there are more than 400 foreign-based businesses in Alabama, hailing from 30 countries. “Sometimes we forget in Alabama that when we label a group as a problem and when we paint the brush so broadly, we’ve included most of the world,” Bronner said.

To read more on this article, click here.

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Though immigration reform has been a top issue lately,

the federal government has yet to address the issue in any serious way.

Several senators have refused to pass any reform that is not comprehensive in nature (i.e. border security and path towards citizenship). This is primarily why the DREAM Act has not passed into law since it was first introduced in 2001 by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).

Because the federal government had not resolved the immigration reform issue, some states, as others with anti-immigrant laws, began to pass their own versions of the DREAM Act. The problem?

First, without a doubt, financial aid and in-state tuition will make college education more attainable, but states still lack the power to confer legal status on undocumented immigrants. What becomes of these students after they have received college degrees but cannot apply their education to a profitable career?  For example, a provision in New York State’s version of the DREAM Act (S. 4179) if passed, will grant New York State work authorization to some 345,000 undocumented students residing in the state.  Although this would enable them to seek employment, they would still be restricted to working only in New York State, thus limiting their ability to explore employment opportunities in other states.

Second, with no access to employment, undocumented students are faced with two choices – remain in the states and take on under-the-table-jobs or return to their home country. Regardless of the options they choose, state DREAM Acts that focus solely on education accessibility could potentially be wasted resources for students who cannot contribute their talents and education in bettering our economy afterwards. In the case that state DREAM Act beneficiaries take on low-paying jobs well under their qualifications, this would still be a loss, in that their income would be less taxable than it would have been if they were authorized to work legally.

Lastly, most state versions of the DREAM Act induce false hope. For example, the California DREAM Act (AB 130), passed last month and has been celebrated by the pro-immigrant community as a step forward in addressing immigration reform in the state. However, it is also important to point out that although AB 130 could potentially make higher education a reality for many, the law also provides that undocumented students would not be eligible to apply or receive any Competitive Cal Grant unless funding remains available after all California resident students have received Competitive Awards. Thus, the law does not place California’s undocumented students on a level playing field in competing for financial assistance with their American counterparts. Instead it puts them under a second priority status where funds would only be available after California residents have been served. Given the state of California’s ailing coffers, one can only imagine the limited amount of resources designated for education.

To read more on this article, click here.

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• Minhaz Kahn, DREAM Act Eligible Student, Spared Deportation — For Now (blogs.sfweekly.com)
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• Undocumented Students Fight for an Education (smudailymustang.com)
• Gov. Jerry Brown OKs California Dream Act bill for illegal immigrant student aid (mercurynews.com)
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On Nov. 15, 2011, on the steps of the New York City Public Library on 42nd Street and 5th Avenue, undocumented youth voiced a message that has dominated rallies across the country over the last few months: “Undocumented, Unafraid, and Unapologetic.”

The group gathered to announce a vote by the Regents Board for the extension of the State’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to all students regardless of their immigration status. The change will make it possible for thousands of undocumented students in New York to attend college.

Of course, this decision is only for New York, and undocumented students in other states, including GA, are still struggling to get the Board of Regents to reject anti-immigrant policies in their university systems. This would not be a state-by-state struggle, however, if the federal DREAM Act had already passed, as it would have “ it would have provided a path to citizenship for young people who meet eligibility requirements such as attending college or serving in the military.” Tuesday’s gathering was put together by:

members of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) and the New York State Youth Leadership (NYSYLC), and attended by immigrant student leaders, State Education Department Commissioner John King Jr., and the Chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents Merryl Tisch.

It certainly is one step, but as one of the youths mentioned, after a college degree is obtained, there is still the problem of being able to find a job with undocumented worker status.

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• Minhaz Kahn, DREAM Act Eligible Student, Spared Deportation — For Now (blogs.sfweekly.com)
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This is a re-post from the National Immigration Forum, an open letter to GOP candidates on the issue of border security and immigration enforcement, with practical suggestions that fall right in line with GOP values.

Dear GOP candidates:

You have two options during tonight’s national security debate when the inevitable immigration enforcement question comes up: Entertain voters with tall tales of tall fences or offer voters reasoned, practical solutions that will keep us secure and restore our economy.

Given the involvement of the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute — who are joining CNN to moderate the debate — I don’t think the hosts will settle for simplistic talking points and false promises. In fact, questioners and audience members alike will be listening for fiscally responsible solutions to protect our nation and reduce the deficit.

Luckily for you, the National Immigration Forum’s new report, “Cut Here: Reducing Wasteful Spending on Immigration Enforcement,” offers the bottom line you are looking for: The United States could save as much as $2.6 billion per year by implementing common-sense enforcement reforms that focus on real threats to the nation.

I imagine you are pretty busy, so I thought I’d offer five fact-based talking points.

First of all, surprise your questioners by joining Latino, immigrant and liberal voters’ astonishment that the Obama administration has presided over one million deportations, outpacing the Bush administration.

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Talking point #1: One million changes none of us expected.

As you can imagine, it costs a lot of money — $23,000 per person — to deport one million people. The Fiscal Year 2012 DHS appropriations bill passed by the House allots a staggering $11.8 billion for Customs and Border Protection and $5.5 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

We found that in 2010 the federal government spent $4.5 billion deporting nearly 200,000 individuals who had no criminal records. Taxpayers could save over $4.4 million a night if ICE only detained individuals who had committed violent crimes.

Talking point #2: Focus immigration enforcement resources on violent criminals, not busboys and farm workers, to save taxpayers over $1.6 billion a year.

Since 2006, we have spent nearly $60 billion on border security. The year-after-year increase in the Border Patrol budget, combined with the much smaller number of persons attempting to cross illegally, has increased the cost per apprehension to $7,500 per person, a 500% increase since 2005. With crime rates in the border region and unlawful cross-border traffic at historic lows, we really shouldn’t be spending new money on an old problem.

Talking point #3: El Paso, Texas, which is located just feet from one of the most dangerous places in the world, Ciudad Juarez, is now one of the safest cities in America. Another change we didn’t expect.

Washington is infatuated with fences but ignores land ports of entry, creating weaknesses drug cartels eagerly exploit. Between 1993 and 2010, the budget for ports of entry increased 17%, while the Border Patrol budget increased 875%.

Not surprisingly, experts estimate that just 30% of those attempting to illegally enter the United States at ports of entry are caught, versus a 70% apprehension rate between ports of entry. Meanwhile, it is estimated that 90% of illegal drugs — and nearly all bulk cash and illegal guns — cross into the U.S. at ports of entry.

Talking point #4: We are all against bridges to nowhere, so let’s agree we are against fences about nothing. Focus our border resources where the threat is real.

Most importantly, tonight’s debate can lead to a solution that cuts spending and raises revenue — without raising taxes.

In 2009, the Cato Institute issued a report, “Restriction or Legalization? Measuring the Economic Benefits of Immigration Reform,” laying out research that found that requiring unauthorized immigrants to legalize their status would have a positive impact on the welfare of U.S. households equaling 1.27% of GDP, or $180 billion. This is a no-brainer.

Talking point #5: Let’s make taxpayers out of everyone, and require unauthorized immigrants to legalize their statuses, learn English and pass criminal background checks. This will increase our tax base and allow law enforcement agencies to focus their valuable resources on national security threats.

Tonight represents an opportunity to take a new approach to national security and immigration enforcement. Don’t follow the path of a broken Washington, D.C. by spending ever-greater sums on enforcement that is neither smart nor effective.

Voters are tired of tall tales when it comes to immigration. Be presidential: Give voters reasoned and reasonable immigration solutions that move us forward together. That is what our country needs.

~Ali Noorani is the executive director of the National Immigration Forum.

SOURCE: http://dailycaller.com/2011/11/22/open-letter-to-gop-hopefuls-on-border-security/ 

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Over the past 20 years, Alabama has welcomed the foreign automobile industry, but there is concern that enforcement of Alabama’s H.B. 56, the harshest immigration law in the country, may tarnish Alabama’s previously good reputation. Last week’s arrest of a Mercedes-Benz manager was a huge faux-pas and an embarrassment for business recruiters from the state.

The manager, who has since returned to Germany, was stopped by police because his rental car did not have a tag. He was charged with violating the immigration law for not having proper identification, which he had left at his hotel.

Great position for the competition, but not for Alabama:

Companies looking to invest in the U.S. are watching the controversy over the immigration law, and at the same time, Alabama’s competitors are reminding those companies of the issue.

Alabama’s message to Washington clearly is having undesired effects, not just for immigrants and small businesses, but also for foreign investment.

Frank Sharry, executive director of America’s Voice, a Washington-based group that promotes “common sense” immigration reform, said he’s not surprised Alabama’s law has had so many unintended consequences.

The measure is so radical that it sends the message that foreigners of any kind are not welcome in Alabama.

“As far as I’m concerned, HB56 is a self-inflicted wound of massive proportions in a state that up until now had fought and clawed its way back to respectability,” he said. “I can’t believe the business community is not standing up to the punks that wrote this bill. They’re going to watch five decades of rehabilitation go down the tubes in a matter of weeks.”

To read more on this article, click here.

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• Republicans, Democrats Disagree Over Alabama’s Immigration Law (npr.org)
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• German manager from Mercedes arrested under Alabama immigration law (inautonews.com)
• Undocumented Immigrants Safer When Coming Forward Together (immigrationreformnow.org)
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Click this link, for more details.

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The Department of Homeland Security claims that they are starting to review the immigration cases and provide training for proper and prioritized enforcement, saying:

“This development will lessen the burden of immigration judges and provide them the resources they need to make sure they are deporting violent criminals first. We all can agree that national security risks and convicted criminals should be the top priority for deportation and that their cases can be expedited. With 300,000 cases overflowing the dockets of our country’s 59 immigration courts, this policy must be effectively pursued.”

However, ICE actions show that Obama’s deportation policy is still not evenly applied. Though they assure the public that they do not arrest low-priority law-abiding undocumented immigrants, they seem to have another attitude behind closed doors.

Last week two undocumented, DREAM Act-eligible immigrant activists presented themselves to immigration agents in Mobile, Alabama, and were subsequently put in detention and placed in deportation proceedings, to prove exactly that point.

Perez and Barrera (the two undocumented DREAMers) announced their detainment a day after 13 undocumented immigrant activists who organized a highly publicized civil disobedience action in the Alabama statehouse earlier this week were released. Activists were arrested yesterday after protesting Alabama’s HB 56, the nation’s harshest anti-immigrant state law in the very building where it was crafted. This group was comprised of activists with the identical profile as Perez and Barrera—young people who immigrated to the country as children and had no criminal convictions on their record.

ICE claims to be following the Obama administration’s hands-off policy towards non-criminal undocumented immigrants, such as these youth activists.

Yet, away from the media spotlight, immigrant activists say the Obama administration has another agenda entirely. And that agenda’s got a mandate to deport immigrants at a breakneck speed — even if the folks they deport do not fall within the agency’s own definition of those who are a high priority for removal. Since he’s been in office Obama’s deported nearly 400,000 people every year, far outpacing the deportation rate of every other president before him and every year toppling his own records. The enforcement strategy continues in the face of an congressional impasse over immigration reform.

“ICE keeps on saying they don’t deport DREAMers or low-level offenders but that same day [as the Tuesday action] we were transferred to this detention center,” Perez said. “We have the paperwork. We’re in deportation proceedings.”

This does prove an important point, however, for those afraid to speak out for their rights:

The lesson, they believe, is that undocumented immigrants are safer when they come forward and organize instead of cowering in the shadows. It’s there that ICE does most of its enforcement work, they say. It’s there where it’s impossible to hold them accountable.

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The controversy over Alabama H.B. 56 continues. Although Senator Dial has said that the law was a mistake, his Republican colleagues have warned that the law will be tweaked to be more user-friendly, but it will not be weakened.

Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh of Anniston said he doesn’t want to consider any changes unless they are recommended by the attorney general, who is defending the law against legal challenges by the U.S. Justice Department and others.

Legislation to repeal Alabama HB 56 has already been written by Democratic Sen. Billy Beasley.

Beasley, who voted against the law in June, said Wednesday the negative national exposure the law has brought to Alabama is evidence that the law is mean-spirited and discriminatory against Hispanics.

“What we’ve done is tell the Hispanics we don’t want you in Alabama. Legal Hispanics are leaving as well as illegals,” he said.

Republicans still say that the law is popular in the state, and many do not think it is less welcoming to immigrants. But businesses say otherwise.

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The chief executive of Alabama’s state pension system, David Bronner, said last week that other states competing with Alabama for foreign-owned industries are using the law to portray Alabama as an unfriendly place.

Senator Dial has proposed some tweaks to the law, such as “making sure that people renewing their professional licenses and people buying car tags only have to prove their legal residency in Alabama once rather than every year.”

Dial, a former teacher and coach, said he would also like to take out the part of the law that requires schools to check the legal residency of new students, but he doubts there is enough support for removing that part of the law. That provision has also been put on hold by the federal courts.

There is no doubt that the Alabama case continues to be a struggle, and the pressure keeps mounting.

To read more of this article, click here.

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This Thanksgiving, it’s time to do something more than just enjoy your dinner. Have your meal while marching for immigrant rights.

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) will hold a Thanksgiving march on Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 9 a.m. to honor immigrant contributions to the United States and remember the 1.5 million immigrants deported since the beginning of the Obama administration.

Thanksgiving meals will also be served to 500 people, along with food basket giveaways to needy families.The procession will begin at the North Hollywood Day Laborer Center at 11841 Sherman Way and conclude at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church at 7800 Vineland Ave. in Sun Valley.

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles was formed in 1986 to advance the human and civil rights of immigrants and refugees in Los Angeles; promote harmonious multi-ethnic and multi-racial human relations; and through coalition-building, advocacy, community education and organizing, empower immigrants and their allies to build a more just society, according to its website.

See this link, for more information.

According to a press release issued today, the lawsuit was filed on behalf of two couples, including Charelle Loder, a U.S. citizen, and “Jack Doe,” and undocumented immigrant from Haiti.

Loder and “Jack Doe” are engaged and have lived together for five years. He was born in Haiti, but has lived in the U.S. most of his life. He is the only father Loder’s daughter has ever known.

They can’t get married, according to SPLC officials, because they can’t get a marriage license in Montgomery County or from the offices of a majority of probate judges in Alabama because “Jack Doe” can’t provide proof of legal residence or a Social Security card.

In 2004, the Attorney General’s office stated that “a marriage license can be issued to an applicant who is not a U.S. citizen.” SPLC used this opinion in its initial lawsuit, which resulted with 13 Alabama counties abandoning their practices or saying they were complying with the law and marrying, regardless of immigration status.

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