Immigration Reform State of Play

Preparing for the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice

Laura Peralta-Schulte

Lobbyist

Ashley WilsonCommunications

Coordinator

EvaluateWill this bill become law?

• Policy

• Process

• Politics

• (and Prayer!)

Pieces of the Puzzle

Things at play when we talk about immigration reform

• Sanctuary Cities

• Homeland Security & Border Control

• Refugee Resettlement

• Administration Challenges

PolicySanctuary Cities

Definition: jurisdictions with policies or laws that limit the extent to which local law enforcement will assist the Federal Government on immigration matters

Currently there are more than 200 state & local jurisdictions with such policies

Why? Allows police to focus on law enforcement priorities, encourages immigrants to work with police without fear of deportation

Policy (cont.)Sanctuary Cities

The Vitter Bill (S. 2146) would penalize the exercise of any police discretion by stripping funding from localities that do not enforce immigration.

ProcessSanctuary Cities

The House of Representatives passed a similar bill (H.R. 3009) in July

The Vitter Bill is likely to be taken up as a “Managers amendment” on the Senate Floor on October 20

PoliticsSanctuary Cities

Presidential: Candidate Donald Trump has focused on this issue during his campaign and has put intense pressure on Congress to act

House: Anti-immigrant members, pushed by outside groups like the Heritage Foundation and Numbers USA, pressed for action. House bill passed 241 to 179.

Senate: This is a case where immigration populations in a state can make an impact.

PolicyHomeland Security & Border

Control

Operation Streamline: the federal government’s detention-and-deportation program under which immigrants are prosecuted in group trials and convicted of illegal entry into the country—a misdemeanor.

If they cross again, they may be convicted of an aggravated felony and face up to two years in prison. The program allows for up to 80 immigrants to be tried at a time, and there is limited legal representation.  

Policy (cont.)Homeland Security & Border

Control

Key objective of leadership in the House & Senate: further militarize the border. Includes expansion of Operation Streamline and increased funding for border control.

ProcessHomeland Security & Border

Control

Legislative efforts to increase border control are moving through Homeland Security Committees & Appropriation Committees in both houses. There will likely be an increased funding this year for border security.

PoliticsHomeland Security & Border

Control

Immigration has been a major issue in the Republican presidential campaigns and many of the candidates have engaged in anti-immigrant bashing. This has strengthened the resolve of immigration foes on Capitol Hill.

PolicyRefugee Resettlement

The world is facing a refugee crisis fueled by war and extreme poverty. This is an issue that must be dealt with by governments around the world.

Policy (Cont.)Refugee Resettlement

H.R. 3573 (Sponsored by Rep. Michael McCaul – Head of Homeland Security Committee): Bill would require refugee resettlement numbers to be approved by joint resolution of Congress every year and would prioritization religious minorities – Christians -- in Middle East. Every single year numbers are already determined in consultation with Congress. This bill allows congress to politicize the program and allow assessment to be subject to partisan gridlock.

ProcessRefugee Resettlement

There is a threat that H.R. 3573 could move through the Committee and the House quickly.

PoliticsRefugee Resettlement

The refugee issue is being merged with the issue of terrorism. Republicans in the House have used the issue to call for restrictions of non-Christian refugees into the U.S. Republican presidential candidates – like Donald Trump – have also raised the issue of terrorism in the context of discussions on refugees.

PolicyAdministrative Challenges

Family Detention:

In response to a spike in the number of women and children crossing the border from Central America, the Administration engaged in a massive expansion of family detention centers in the U.S. The faith community has been calling on the Administration to end the practice of family detention.

ProcessAdministrative Challenges

Advocates for detained families filed a lawsuit last year arguing that the practice of family detention violates earlier court rulings which require children not be held in detention centers for an extended period of time.

U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee found the Administration’s practice of detaining immigrant families in detention centers unconstitutional and ordered that they stop the practice immediately.  The Justice Department recently filed a motion to appeal the ruling and is expected to do so by October 23rd. 

PoliticsAdministrative Challenges

Large majorities of Democrats in the House and Senate have urged the Administration to stop the practice of family detention. Republican members have been quiet on the issue. The policy is being driven by the Department of Homeland Security.

PolicyDACA/DAPA

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): Administrative action that allows undocumented individuals who entered the U.S. before their 16th birthday (before June 2007) to receive a renewable two-year work permit and exemption from deportation

In November 2014, President Obama attempted to expand DACA

PolicyDACA/DAPA

Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA): Administrative action that would allow undocumented parents of U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents who entered the U.S. before November 20, 2014 to receive a renewable two-year work permit and exemption from deportation

ProcessDACA/DAPA

Opponents of immigration reform went to Court to argue that DACA Expansion and DAPP exceed the President’s authority. The issue is still being litigated and experts believe the issue will not be resolved until June of 2016.

Changes to the Visa system and refocused enforcement priorities went into effect.

PoliticsDACA/DAPA

Following passage of comprehensive immigration reform in the Senate, advocates for reform pushed to have the House vote on reform. House leadership, however, refused to bring a bill up for vote. This lack of leadership was the impetus for President Obama to act.

Republicans in Congress roundly criticize the President for the use of Executive Action in 2012 and 2014.

Immigration reform is and will remain a big issue in the 2016 campaign!

Resources

IFTJ Immigration Reform Talking Points

FWD.US Member of Congress Tracker

FWD.US Presidential Candidate Tracker

Interfaith Immigration Coalition

American Immigration Council

THANKS!lperalta@networklobby.orgawilson@networklobby.org

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