Members of the U.S. Congress have a significant opportunity to restore decency and end the human rights violations inside immigrant detention centers in the United States by supporting the Secure and Safe Detention and Asylum Act, S. 3114, reintroduced today by Senators Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), Sam Brownback (R-Kansas), Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), and Chuck Hagel (R-Nebraska).

The debate over immigration reform in America has come full circle. It began in late 2005 with an "enforcement only" bill in the House of Representatives that relied on aggressive implementation of existing law and greatly restricting future immigration. The most extreme legislation proposed in this vein would have made felons of undocumented immigrants and prosecuted those who provide such immigrants with aid or comfort. In essence, the proposal threw down a gauntlet to any who supported immigrant rights. While the most punitive measures of that bill were largely rejected, the parameters that it laid out represent the current position of the U.S. government. Today's policy focuses on border security, employer sanctions and the detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants.

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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 National Immigrant Justice Center regrets that negotiations for comprehensive immigration reform have stalled in the U.S. Senate. The debate that has occurred since the bill was introduced three weeks ago shows the urgent need for legislation that will fix our nation's broken immigration system. Americans are relying on our representatives in Congress to show their leadership and revive immigration reform legislation before the end of this year.

Protect the Rights of Asylum Seekers and Refugees

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.

CHICAGO - The National Immigrant Justice Center has grave concerns over several key provisions in the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act.This legislation represents a constructive first step towards reaching common ground between divergent interests on a complex and widely contested issue. Much work remains to be done.