Congress Can Still Enact Critical Reforms that Respect Rights and Strengthen Our Economy

Opponents of fair and humane immigration reform stymied the Senate today, blocking an effort to wrap up debate on the Senate immigration bill and bring it to a final vote later this week.  With a vote of 46-53, the Senate fell far short of the support needed for the bill to survive a filibuster.

The Senate bill was deeply flawed, but represented the sole chance of enacting reform this year.  The National Immigrant Justice Center expressed reservations when the legislation was first unveiled by the so-called "Grand Bargainers," a bipartisan group of Senators working with the support of the White House to craft a compromise package.  The bill did not uphold basic fairness and due process under law, nor did it honor the American tradition of keeping families together.  Nevertheless, some positive amendments and other legislation should be revived as stand-alone bills. These measures include:

• The DREAM Act, offered by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), encourages immigrant students to seek higher education, assimilate into our societies, and apply their skills working in the American economy.

• The Secure and Safe Detention and Asylum Act, championed by Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), is a package of due process protections for asylum seekers and detained immigrants, including expanded access to legal counsel and improved treatment for those held in custody.

• The Citizenship Promotion Act, a bill introduced by Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), would make citizenship and assimilation into American society possible for a large number of lawful permanent residents.

• The Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act, introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), is a package of reforms designed to improve access to justice for immigrant minors.

These proposals preserve constitutional rights and due process of law, place value on family unity while also promoting economic stability, and ensure that vulnerable populations are afforded protection. The National Immigrant Justice Center calls on members of Congress to set aside their differences and enact these critical reforms.

For further information please contact National Immigrant Justice Center Director of Policy Tara Magner at (312) 660-1363.