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Press Release

Bush Immigration Proposal Falls Short.

President’s plan fails to outline a comprehensive bill that is workable, fair and just.

April 9, 2007

Contact:
Lizette Jenness Olmos 202-833-6130 ext.16
 

Washington, DC – The League of United Latin American Citizens urges President Bush to work with the bipartisan coalition of House and Senate leaders who have introduced comprehensive immigration reform legislation that is workable and honors our country’s tradition as a nation of immigrants.

As currently worded, President Bush’s plan would unnecessarily split families and create a permanent underclass of temporary workers with no prospects of fully participating in U.S. society. Under the President’s proposal fines and fees for regularizing one’s status would grow to well over $20,000 per person making it unlikely that low income workers would ever be able to become permanent legal residents.

The American people support reasonable immigration reform that would provide a realistic pathway for hardworking immigrants to become permanent legal residents provided they undergo a background check, pay a fine, pay back taxes, learn English and obey the law. Americans also want to encourage future immigrant workers to come in legally and to help reunite families waiting for a visa for their loved ones.

“We commend the President for reaffirming his support of comprehensive immigration reform in Yuma, Arizona today,” said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales. “Unfortunately, the President’s proposal falls short of his commitment to providing a realistic pathway for hard working immigrants to have a shot at the American Dream.”

Under the President’s proposal, whole visa categories for close family members are eliminated. The proposal creates new Y and Z visa categories requiring applicants to pay fines from $3,500 every three years in order to work and $10,000 to apply for permanent status. These new categories expressly forbid family members to accompany any Z or Y visa holder. In addition, visa holders who choose to apply for permanent status at any time would have to return to their country of origin and get in back of the line regardless of the number of years they have worked legally or the thousands paid in fines.

LULAC does agree with President Bush that comprehensive immigration reform should be passed this year and we encourage him to keep pushing Congress to send a bill to him this year. To view a copy of the LULAC immigration resolution click here.

The League of United Latin American Citizens, the oldest and largest Hispanic membership organization in the country, advances the economic conditions, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.

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