Archive for the ‘Immigration Reform’ Category

This Isnt What Immigration in the National Interest Looks Like – ImmigrationReform.com

In one fell swoop, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the American economy to its knees and thrown many American workers out of their jobs. More than ten million Americans have lost their jobs in the last month, and St. Louis Federal Reserve President James Bullard estimates that before this is over, unemployment could reach 32 percent thats nearly ten percentage points higher than the 24.9 percent jobless rate the nation suffered during the worst of the Great Depression in 1933.

But many of those workers who are laid off will eventually seek to return to their jobs in the nations small business sector, comprised of some 31 million small businesses across the country. These small companies ones with less than 500 employees range from hairdressers to bookstores, from small factories to restaurants, and last year these companies employed 52 percent of all Americans who work for the private sector. And while Washington is trying to pull a new rabbit out of its hat to keep these entrepreneurs open, many may not be able to survive an extended COVID-19 shutdown.

Despite a potentially bleak future, marked by economic ruin and previously unseen unemployment rates, theres one bad policy choice we can rely on the government to keep on making, albeit on a delayed basis, due to the pandemic. This nation will continue its historically high levels of immigration that are driven largely by chain migration. In 2019 the U.S. admitted:

And those numbers are just new admissions, theydont include extensions of status or changes from one status to another byforeigners already in the United States.

Why would the U.S. continue admitting such anenormous number of immigrants when it knows at least for the short term that its economy will be in shambles and its own citizens will be in desperateneed of work? Because our immigrationsystem operates on autopilot, with congressionally mandated levels for eachcategory. There is very little flexibility built into the system to allow theExecutive Branch to respond to changing economic and political conditionsthroughout the world. Its an outdated, immigration framework that operates ina vacuum, outside of the economic and political realities that affect the livesof everyday Americans.

The current immigration system is dysfunctionalbecause it doesnt address either international economics or geopolitics asthey currently exist. Thankfully, as theSupreme Court affirmed in Trump v. Hawaii,the president has the ability to temporarily close the border to broadcategories of immigrants in times of crisis. However, that power does notpermit our Chief Executive to create new immigration classifications or do awaywith existing ones. America needs an immigration system that is flexible enoughto meet the needs of our ever-changing economy.

And ifever there was a time to enact real immigration reform, it is now. Congressneeds to stop forcing American workers to compete with foreigner workers forgood jobs. It is time to make immigration policy work for Americans.

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This Isnt What Immigration in the National Interest Looks Like - ImmigrationReform.com

Immigration Reform Bogged Down in Budgetary Minutiae – Newsmax

Those residing in the U.S. illegally were granted protections under then-President Barack Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program are estimated to number between 600- to 800-thousand.

President Trump, who won the 2016 presidential election with support from immigration hardliners. The president has demonstrated a willingness in the pastto work with Congress on a long-term solution for these individuals; that is, those whose legal status in America is currently in limbo.

Since its expiration, the question of how to deal with the so-called "Dreamers" post DACA has been a matter of contention down party lines and more recently has effectively been relegated to the back burner as the Coronavirus pandemic dominatesthe news-cycle.

But with an increasing number of countries shutting down their borders in an effort to contain COVID-19, immigration policy and border security including finding a permanent solution to the longstanding DACA saga certainly requires a higher level of priority from a distracted Congress.

Many legislators on the left, who far too often play the "race card" in accusing President Trump of "xenophobia," while unfairly and inaccurately portraying as him having anti-immigrant views, fail to point out that he has actually already shown support for proposals that would grant legalization and a possibly even a path to citizenship for Dreamers.

In fact, in January of 2018, the White House unveiled a proposal that would have provided a pathway to citizenship for a whopping 1.8 million illegal residents (2 to 3 times the number of Dreamers) living in the U.S., in exchange for additional restrictions on legal immigration, and $25 billion for improved border security.

The plan was blasted by many conservative activists as "amnesty."

It was also slammed by many Democrats for its price tag, but it had the potential to be a long-term win-win for both parties; conservatives would have gotten the "big beautiful wall," the have long craved.

Liberals could have hit the campaign trail for many elections to come touting their major victory that made the American dream possible for almost 2 million new residents.

With America suffering through what is, and what will remain for a period, a difficult downturn in the economy, some Americans may not be as interested in the fate of the Dreamers. Yet,an incredible opportunity now exists to help restart the economy and solve border security as part of this conundrum, with some slight modifications to the so-called Phase 4 recovery package President Trump has recently been talked up.

As we watch Congress so easily spend trillions of dollars at a record pace, it seems silly to think that the historic 2018-2019 government shutdown occurred due to a dispute over what amounted to less than one-tenth of 1% of the total federal budget.

That was unacceptable.

One thing that all Americans should be learning during the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of border security, and that political arguments over small sums of money should never compromise national security.

Although President Trump offered a "path to citizenship" for up to 1.8 million illegal residents, I think that number is far too liberal and also think Trump could potentially pacify legislators on both sides with legalization for up to 1 million illegal residents.

The president has the undivided attention of the American people right now.

He can work up public support for this kind of legislation via his daily White House Coronavirus Task Force briefings.

Regardless of how you may feel about the Dreamers, the 600- to 800-thousand individuals currently falling under such a designation were educated and trained to have the ability to contribute to our society and workforce at the expense of the American taxpayer.

Americans have already made this investment, thus, there is really no good argument for deporting them at this juncture.

The extra 200 to 400 thousand can be legalized via a merit lottery, where applicants can apply for legalization based on their special skillset or possible contribution to the country, and be considered to possibly stay in the Unitedd States.

I would additionally propose a merit-based immigration only going forward.

America has been inundated with unskilled South and Central American labor for decades.

This only continues to drive down wages as well as overextend our entitlement system.

I would also offer, that going forward, America should only allow skilled laborers in undermanned fields, particularly in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), to receive temporary work permits and also potentially garner a possible long-term path to citizenship.

Investment-centered citizenship should also be prioritized for those looking to immediately invest in America's private sector.

These remedies, in addition to an increase in ICE agents and other border-centered manpower, will finally solve America's long-standing illegal immigration issue.

Whether legislators, who seem to prioritize bickering and political posturing over minute details and minute sums of money (proportionally) can work this one out remains to be seen.

Julio Rivera is a small business consultant, political activist, writer and Editorial Director for Reactionary Times. He has been a regular contributor to Newsmax TV and columnist for Newsmax.com since 2016. His writing, which is concentrated on politics, cybersecurity and sports, has also been published by websites including The Hill, The Washington Times, LifeZette, The Washington Examiner, American Thinker, The Toronto Sun and PJ Media and many others. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.

2020 Newsmax. All rights reserved.

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Immigration Reform Bogged Down in Budgetary Minutiae - Newsmax

Biden Is Trying To Win Progressives That Had Backed Sanders – NPR

Joe Biden has made overtures to Bernie Sanders and progressive groups that had backed the Vermont senator. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Joe Biden has made overtures to Bernie Sanders and progressive groups that had backed the Vermont senator.

A day after Bernie Sanders dropped out of the presidential race, Joe Biden, now the presumptive Democratic nominee, made an overture to progressives.

On Thursday he rolled out two new policy proposals:

"Senator Sanders and his supporters can take pride in their work in laying the groundwork for these ideas, and I'm proud to adopt them as part of my campaign at this critical moment in responding to the coronavirus crisis," Biden said in a statement announcing his plans. And the day before, when Sanders suspended his campaign, Biden put out a 700-word statement praising the Vermont senator as a "powerful voice" whose movement "changed the dialogue in America."

Biden and Sanders appear to have a genuine affection for one another, something that wasn't the case with Sanders and Hillary Clinton in 2016. And Sanders insisted from the outset of his 2020 candidacy that he would do whatever was needed to assist the eventual Democratic nominee to defeat President Trump.

But the question has long been whether Sanders' most ardent progressive supporters, some of whom have been leery of Biden's record, will follow him.

"The Biden campaign really did the least outreach of any of the major front-runners to Sunrise Movement throughout the election cycle," said Evan Weber, one of the co-founders of the youth-led climate-focused organization.

The group endorsed Sanders during the primary. But a couple of weeks ago, as it became clear that the former vice president would likely be the nominee, Weber said Biden's campaign tried to restart the relationship.

"They reached out to learn what they could do more to improve their proposals and record on [the] climate crisis," he said. "And also I think [they have] a broader interest in engaging young people."

Despite those conversations, the Sunrise Movement was one of eight youth-led progressive groups to sign an open letter to Biden that was published Wednesday. In it, they reminded Biden that even though he is now the presumptive nominee, he had struggled to win votes from young people.

"Messaging around a 'return to normalcy' does not and has not earned the support and trust of voters from our generation," the organizations wrote. "For so many young people, going back to the way things were 'before Trump' isn't a motivating enough reason to cast a ballot in November."

Collectively, the groups asked for concessions on both policy and personnel, and they outlined a list of aggressive demands, such as adopting a wealth tax, supporting "Medicare for All," eliminating the filibuster and expanding the Supreme Court.

In response, Biden's policy director, Stef Feldman, said in a statement: "Vice President Biden and our campaign have been engaging with progressive leaders. We are continuously considering additional policies that build on his existing policies and further the bold goals driving Vice President Biden's campaign."

Behind the scenes, Feldman and Biden advisers Cristobal Alex and Symone Sanders have been reaching out to progressive organizations individually to talk.

"Some of those conversations are policy-first conversations," Sanders said. "But some of those conversations are also political conversations. Then we move to policy. ... We come to the conversation saying, 'Where do we agree?' And after we're aligned on where we agree, how can we expand upon that agreement?"

Sanders says that agreement might result in specific policy plans, but it also might mean discussing ways they can collectively take on Trump in November.

Still, despite the goodwill gestures the Biden campaign is offering, some progressives are frustrated. Some organizations said the Biden campaign hasn't tried to reach out to them.

"We have obviously not touched base with everyone we need to talk to," Sanders acknowledged on Thursday.

But multiple groups, including a few that have now been in touch with Biden's team, spoke of trying to engage with his campaign during the primary only to be ignored.

As much as these activists want their policy ideas accepted, it seems at least some of them simply want to be heard.

Bernie Sanders told Stephen Colbert on The Late Show on Wednesday that he knows Biden is "not gonna adopt" his platform, but if the former vice president can indicate that he's willing to listen, Sanders thinks his supporters will come around.

In that same interview, Sanders also suggested Biden can and will move on a range of policy issues that matter to Sanders' voters, such as tuition-free college, climate change, raising the minimum wage, criminal justice reform and immigration reform.

Notably, Sanders did not mention his signature issue: Medicare for All.

But for some of his supporters, health care is the most important issue, especially at this moment.

"I believe it's important to see movement on Medicare for All," said Ana Maria Archila, co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy Action, an umbrella group of a number of progressive organizations that had endorsed Sanders during the primary. "It is kind of unimaginable that someone who is running as the Democratic nominee could still defend the idea of private health insurance in a moment like this," she added, referring to record levels of unemployment during the coronavirus crisis.

Her organization has not spoken directly with the Biden campaign, but she said his team has reached out to some groups in their network, specifically Latino groups.

Of all issues, health care is likely the most difficult for Biden to move on, but Yvette Simpson, CEO of Democracy for America, feels it would be the most meaningful. Her organization also backed Sanders in the primary.

Simpson worries that if Biden can't show any additional policy changes on health care, it'll be challenging to motivate progressive voters to support him.

Two other important issues, she said, are climate change and income inequality. And on those, she thinks there could be some room for change.

"Despite the fact that I'm very, very hard on Biden, I think we have seen him shift over the decade, so I'm cautiously optimistic about his potential to shift," Simpson said. "We know him to be someone who is willing to listen, we've seen this shift on the [1990s] crime bill and his acknowledgement of his failures there."

DFA issued a statement Wednesday saying that is a "100% committed to doing everything" it can to ensure Biden defeats Trump.

That means it'll be using its organizing muscle money and people to turn out voters for Biden in November. "That'll be easier to do if he has some actual issues we can get people excited about," Simpson added with a laugh.

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Biden Is Trying To Win Progressives That Had Backed Sanders - NPR

Undocumented ‘dreamers’ say they are needed as front-line fighters against coronavirus – Salt Lake Tribune

Editors note: The Salt Lake Tribune is providing readers free access to critical local stories about the coronavirus during this time of heightened concern. See more coverage here. To support journalism like this, please consider donating or become a subscriber.

Utahn Ciriac Alvarez was brought from Mexico at age 5 by her parents without papers. She was among dreamers who warned Friday that Trump administration efforts to deport them and others could deprive the nation of many of its front-lines fighters against the coronavirus.

People will start losing their workers permits later this year affecting dreamers who are doctors, nurses, pharmacists, technicians, farm workers, grocery workers and others, Alvarez said in a call for national reporters set up by Americas Voice, an immigration reform group.

Alvarez and others said dreamers are at risk for two reasons. Immigration offices have been closed and have not allowed dreamers to file papers needed to keep work permits current. And the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on a Trump request to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, and seemed to side with the administration in oral arguments.

An unusual filing with the Supreme Court on Friday by Yale Law School like the national press call urged the court to take a new look at the case because of the coronavirus outbreak. Termination of DACA during this national emergency would be catastrophic, it said.

Alvarez, a policy analyst for Voices for Utahs Children, added, DACA recipients are facing so much uncertainty right now with the [virus] crisis and with the decision of the Supreme Court ruling looming over us including that many fear taking advantage of food or other aid because it may hurt their immigration status by considering them a public charge.

Denisse Rojas, co-founder of Pre-Health Dreamers, a group for DACA students studying to work in the health industry, said the Center for American Progress estimates the county has 27,000 undocumented health care workers who are working with permission through DACA.

These individuals are on the frontlines of providing care to people, she said. Its so disheartening that their ability to work and my own ability to practice as a physician is in jeopardy and will be ripped away if the Supreme Court decides to end the DACA program.

Besides the health industry workers, Ur Jaddou, director of DHS Watch, said many more DACA recipients work in other jobs needed during the pandemic from farm workers to truckers, meat processors and grocery store workers.

They also need immigration protection so they can go on working for all of us without the fear of falling out of status, threat of deportation or financial ruin, she said.

Some groups on the national call for reporters also criticized rhetoric by President Donald Trump including referring to COVID-19 as the Chinese flu saying that is making life unfairly difficult for many Asian immigrants.

Chinese Americans and Asian Americans are being blamed for the virus or presumed to be carriers. We know that this sort of stereotyping and scapegoating it wrong, said Marita Etcubaez, director of strategic initiatives for Asian Americans Advancing Justice. Its also dangerous.

She said Asian immigrants have been assaulted, attacked, spit on and verbally abused.

So her group proclaimed that calling COVID-19 the Chinese virus, particularly as we hear it coming from our elected officials including the president is racist and its fueling hate against our communities.

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Undocumented 'dreamers' say they are needed as front-line fighters against coronavirus - Salt Lake Tribune

Supreme Court Will Allow Review of Decades-Old Deportations – Washington Free Beacon

A little-noticed immigration decision at the Supreme Court Monday could give a boost to foreign nationals challenging deportation orders long after their removal from the United States.

The case involves an immigrant, Pedro Pablo Guerrero-Lasprilla, who was deported in 1998 in connection with the seizure of 50 kilograms of cocaine. The Supreme Court ruled seven to two on Monday that Guerrero-Lasprillacan fight his deportation in federal court, giving him a chance at returning to the United States.

"Practically speaking, the Supreme Court may have opened the door for thousands of aliens, many removed from the U.S. years ago, to request review of their deportation orders. If that happens, the operations of the Executive Office for Immigration Review, already struggling under a backlog of a million cases, may collapse and come to a screeching halt," Matt O'Brien, director of research at the Federation for American Immigration Reform and a former assistant chief counsel with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, told theWashington Free Beacon.

The ruling was a rare setback for the Trump administration, which has generally fared well before the Supreme Court on criminal immigration issues. It may take years to appreciate the scope of the decision, as it's not clear how many migrants might benefit. Two other cases the Supreme Court is considering this term similarly explore when federal courts have power to consider immigration issues. In ruling for Guerrero-Lasprilla on Monday, the justices may be signaling more defeats to come for the Trump administration, and an expanded role for judges in deportations.

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is at the center of Monday's case. Congress wanted to make the deportation of immigrants who commit crimes easy and straightforward. To that end, the INA dictates that immigrants convicted of violent crimes or drug offenses cannot challenge their deportation in federal court.

Congress adopted that rule, called the "criminal-alien bar," because it wanted expert immigration authorities in the executive branch, not federal courts, to make final judgments about deportation, OBrien told theFree Beacon.

There are two exceptions to the criminal-alien bar. One provides that immigrants can fight a deportation order in court if their case involves a "question of law." The issue in Mondays case was a technical onewhether the application of law to undisputed facts counts as a "question of law."

A seven-justice majority led by Justice Stephen Breyer said the answer is yes, citing a background rule that "executive determinations generally are subject to judicial review." In doing so, the Court may have greatly expanded the number of immigrants who can fight their deportations before a judge.

Justice Clarence Thomas dissented, warning that the Court's decision gives judges far more leeway to review deportation orders than Congress intended.

"The majority effectively nullifies a jurisdiction-stripping statute, expanding the scope of judicial review well past the boundaries set by Congress," Thomas wrote. Justice Samuel Alito joined Thomas's dissent.

Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh joined Breyers opinion for the Court.

More disconcerting, O'Brien said, is a second issue the ruling did not broach: when an immigrant's ability to challenge his deportation in federal court expires.

"Some deported aliens may retain the possibility of contesting their removal ordersdecadesinto the future," O'Brien told theFree Beacon. "And that possibility undermines the effectiveness of deportation as a method for preserving our national sovereignty and border security."

The case of another immigrantRuben Ovalleswas decided with Guerrero-Lasprilla's. In 2003, Ovalles pleaded guilty to attempted possession of heroin. Thereafter, immigration authorities deported him to the Dominican Republic in 2004, where he remains today.

Guerrero-Lasprilla is a native Colombian who became a lawful permanent resident in the United States in 1986. A jury convicted him of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 kilograms of cocaine base worth over $1 million in 1988.

Following a 10-year prison sentence, he was deported to Colombia in 1998, where he still lives as of this writing.

The case is No. 18-776Guerrero-Lasprillav.Barr.

Guerrero-Lasprilla v. Barr by Washington Free Beacon on Scribd

Kevin Daley covers the Supreme Court for the Washington Free Beacon. He has covered the Supreme Court since 2016. His email is daley@freebeacon.com.

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Supreme Court Will Allow Review of Decades-Old Deportations - Washington Free Beacon