Let’s Relax Americans take pride in our immigrant history!

Let’s Relax Americans

take pride in our immigrant history!

The United States has benefited greatly from

immigration and celebrates its

immigrant heritage.

Immigration: The truth is two-fold: The United States has benefited

greatly from immigration and celebrates it immigrant heritage, AND

The U.S. has always been fundamentally ambivalent about newcomers and their role in society.

“When we get tough on people, not problems, then all of our rights are at stake.” Wade Henderson, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights

A few simple facts…

Immigrant Americans contribute to the economic, social, cultural fabric of the

U.S.

Past & Present Immigration Foreign-born as a percent

of the population 14.7% in 1900 12.7% in 2010

(Note: Canada 17%. Australia 24%.)

Immigrants as a percent of U.S. workforce 24% in 1910 16% in 2010

Percent of U.S.-citizen children living in immigrant families 28% in 1910 24% in 2010

Source: U.S. Census and Urban Institute

A few A few simple simple facts…facts…

Immigrants – including undocumented – pay taxes.

Sales tax, Property taxes including property taxes

paid through rent, Income taxes and social security taxes

withheld from their paychecks.


Immigrants – including undocumented – pay taxes.

According to the 2008 annual report on Social Security, taxes paid by undocumented are projected to cover 15% of the system’s long-term deficit.

How Immigrants Saved Social Security, New York Times editorial, April 2,

2008.


A Nebraska-specific study found that immigrants – including undocumented – pay 7% more in taxes than they receive in services. Nebraska’s Immigrant Population: Economic and Fiscal Impacts

University of Nebraska – Omaha 2008

As a population, immigrants – including undocumented – pay more in taxes than they receive in services.


Undocumented immigrants are ineligible for all major public benefits.

This includes Welfare/TANF, Medicaid*, and food stamps.

Even legal immigrants are not eligible for the first five years.


University of Nebraska local study of Lexington, Nebraska

Immigrants create jobs: “Immigrants are consumers as well as workers, and because they eat, buy housing, spend on entertainment and shop locally, they also add to the demand for labor in the local economy.” ”How Does Immigration Affect Local Demand? A Model and Test from Rural Nebraska,”

Research in Labor Economics, 2005

Immigrants create jobs and increase wages for U.S.-born workers.


For most undocumented, there is no way to apply for legal status or citizenship in the U.S. because our laws don’t allow it.

Under current immigration law, if a person does not have family in the U.S. and is a manually-skilled worker, there essentially is no way to apply to work in the U.S., except on a seasonal basis.


The family-based system has backlogs and long waiting periods.

An unmarried son or daughter of a US citizen from the Philippines, waits 15 years for a visa. From Mexico – 19 years From China – 7 years From India - 7 years

Spouses and children of legal permanent residents wait 2.5

years. Brothers and sisters of adult

citizens wait 11 -23 years. A few A few simple simple facts…facts…

Where are we now?

It’s time to update an antiquated system.

We need common-sense immigration laws that

uphold our values and move us forward

together.

Common-sense federal immigration laws will…

Create a strong foundation for our families, businesses, economy, and future.

Cut the deficit: The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the Senate bill with a path to citizenship will cut our national deficit by nearly $200 billion over 10 years.


Increase already significant tax contributions by immigrant Americans…

Report released this summer by Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. Undocumented immigrants’ state and local tax contributions in Nebraska: Current: $42,341,000 After reform: $52,589,000


Mean Better Health for Children and Families.

New national report: 4.5 million U.S. citizen

children have a parent w/o immigration status.

More than 400 U.S. citizen children per day separated from parent by detention or deportation.

Where are we now? The Senate passed a thorough,

bipartisan bill with a clear & attainable path to citizenship in June. Excessive border amendment.

Now we need the House to take action.

More than 40 Nebraska organizations representing

thousands of Nebraskans support common-sense immigration

laws

Faith, Business, Labor, Civic, Rural, Children & Families, Civil Rights…

Recent support in Nebraska

Nebraska Coalition for Immigration Reform: Nebraska Restaurant Association Nebraska Cattlemen League of Women Voters Nebraska Appleseed, etc.

Held 5 community roundtables across the state in 2013: immigration has been a net positive, is critical to future, & we need updated immigration laws.


August recess, 21+ events: Bibles, Badges, & Business

Forum. Keep Nebraska Families

Together press conferences. Children’s drawings. College of St. Mary forum,

mtgs w/Congressmen, etc.


October: Families’ March and Rally for Dignity & Respect – 2,000 Nebraskans Tens of thousands nationwide Oct. 5-12.


Continuing vigils and events since October 12 across the state: Omaha, Columbus, Grand Island…

Your voice can make a difference!

Make a call to your elected officials! Go home and ask your friends/family to do

the same. Short letters to the editor – common-sense,

not silence.

We need common-sense immigration laws that uphold our values and move us forward.

Documents

Let’s Relax Americans take pride in our immigrant history!