Numbers to Remember:
Capitol Switchboard
202-224-3121
The President 202-456-1111
The Secretary of DHS 202-224-3121
Asst. Sec DHS (ICE) 202-732-3000
Consider
a donation to
IRATE &
First Friends
Immigration & Detention Reform Priorities
Comprehensive Immigration Reform
The time has come!
Senators Schumer and Graham reported
REPAIR proposal in April.. For the most recent comments on that process read:
Star Ledger 4.2.10
Child Citizen Protection Act (H.R.182)
Summary:
Provides discretionary authority to an immigration judge to determine that an alien
parent of a United States citizen child should not be ordered removed, deported, or
excluded from the United States.
Status:
The
Child Citizen Protection Act is being incorporated into the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Package. There is little action on that
bill other than that.
The Dream Act of 2009 (S.729) (H.R. 1751)
Summary
The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act is bipartisan
legislation that addresses the situation faced by young people who were brought to the United States years ago as undocumented immigrant
children, and who have since grown up here, stayed in school, and kept out of trouble.
Each year about 65,00 U.S.-raised students
who would qualify for federal aid for college graduate from high school. They are young people who have lived in the U.S. for
most of their lives and desire only to call this country their home. Even though they were brought to the U.S. as children,
they face unique barriers to higher education. Undocumented students are also unable to receive state financial aid in most states
and are ineligible for federal loans or other federal aid. On top of the circumstances that make college much less affordable for
undocumented students, their respective status also prevents them from legally working to pay for college. Their lack of proper documentation,
such as a driver's license or even a social security number, can hinder them from filling out college and job applications.
The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act will help these students achieve a college degree by giving them
access to more financial aid and provides a pathway to citizenship through higher education.
We are trying to get Congressmen
Payne, Lance and Smith to become co-sponsors of HR 1751.
Ending Detention for Asylum Seekers
IRATE & First Friends has long lobbied for the end to Detention for Asylum Seekers. Our
constant work, contributed to a change in ICE policy issued January 4th, 2010. WE now find that asylum seekers are being released
from detention in about 20 days. We are currently confirming that experience across the country before we claim: VICTORY!
