Immigration History Current System Backlash Other Issues/Proposals

The modern Period 1965 Immigration Act -Not based on national quotas -priority given to family reunification The new boom--3rd world immigration -air travel, chain sponsorship IRCA granted amnesty for 3 million here illegally -Today an estimated 12 million in the country illegally

Current System Types of legal immigration: -Family sponsored (for Green Card only spouse or child) -Student or Employment based -Refugee/Asylee—“reasonable fear of persecution for ethnic, cultural, religious reasons” -Other—“Diversity Lottery”, etc.

Post 9/11

Is immigration (still) good for the country? costs: schools, medical, courts, police, etc. benefits: provide labor, pay many taxes, reinvigorate cities objection: new immigrants not assimilating like old--a permanent foreign underclass, especially given “new economy” defense: are assimilating

Backlash English as Official Language -Since 1980s 16 states and several municipalities passed Official Language laws, ban bilingual ed and services 1994 Prop 187 -denying illegal immigrants state-funded education and non-emergency medical care -thrown out by the courts

Other issues Drivers licenses -permitted in four states Matricular IDs -granted by foreign countries’ consulates -accepted as valid in a dozen states, some cities Voting -a history of non-citizen voting -NY, Chicago, and others allow it for school boards—SF?

Proposals before Congress House version: Criminalize as a felony illegal immigration Expand border patrol and build 700 mile barrier (both House and Senate) No path to legal status from within US Senate version: Illegal immigrants in the US for 2 years could be eligible for a new temporary guest worker program After 5 years of steady employment, can apply for a green card