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 % in 2010 (Note: Canada 17%. Australia 24%.) Immigrants as a percent of U.S. workforce 24% in % in 2010 Percent of U.S.-citizen children living in immigrant families 28% in % in 2010 Source: U.S. Census and Urban Institute A few simple 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. A few simple facts…

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, A few simple facts…

As a population, immigrants – including undocumented – pay more in taxes than they receive in services. Former Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan testified before Congress, “There are great misperceptions that immigrants are a drain on our economy, but many studies have confirmed the opposite is true. Even undocumented workers – commonly referred to as ‘illegal’ – contribute more than their fair share to our great country.” A few simple facts…

Nebraska 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. A few simple facts…

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. A few simple facts…

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. A few simple facts…

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 low- or medium-skilled worker, there essentially is no way to apply to work in the U.S., except on a seasonal basis. A few simple facts…

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 years. A few simple facts…

Where are we now? We need common-sense immigration laws that uphold our values and move us forward together.

(Right here in River City!)

Arizona-Style Law: Socially toxic Economically self-defeating Wide range of opposition to Arizona-style bill in Nebraska: Nebraska League of Municipalities Omaha and Lincoln police NAACP, Anti-Defamation League, civil rights groups Hispanic veterans Faith groups University of Nebraska

Who is Kris Kobach? “Behind all of this stands one man: Kris Kobach, a former Kansas City law professor who was just elected Kansas secretary of state. For the better part of the last six years, Kobach has been chief legal counsel to the Immigration Reform Law Institute, which is the legal arm of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). He helped to write and defend in court the laws in Hazleton, Valley Park, Farmers Branch, Fremont and Arizona, and he is seeking to do even more.” From “When Mr. Kobach Comes to Town”, Southern Poverty Law Center, January 2011, page 5 Lawyer Kris Kobach (on the right)

Common-sense federal immigration laws! Momentum in Congress and from the President

Common-sense federal immigration laws A strong foundation for our families, businesses, economy, and future. 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.

Common-sense federal immigration laws New report: Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (July 2013) Undocumented immigrants’ state and local tax contributions in Nebraska: Current: $42,341,000 After reform: $52,589,000

Common-sense federal immigration laws New national report How Family-Focused Immigration Reform will Mean Better Health for Children and Families. 4.5 million U.S. citizen children have a parent without immigration status.

More than 40 Nebraska organizations representing thousands of Nebraskans support common-sense immigration laws

What can we do to make a difference? Make a call to your elected officials! Go home and ask your friends/family to do the same. Calling your senator’s office after hours is fine! Leave a message. Can and should be very short. Short letters to the editor – common-sense, not silence. We need common-sense immigration laws that uphold our values and move us forward.

What else can I do? Coordinate volunteers to phone bank in the future. Technology makes it easy! Plan short letter-writing or phone calling opportunities in your events/meetings.