Robin Thorley Brenda Ayón Vanessa Reyes Maribel Martinez March 5 th, 2009 POLI SCI 126C

 - 1 st Law protecting citizens (14 th Amendment-1868)  - Immigration Act of 1924  - Immigration & Nationality Act of 1965  - Immigration Reform Act (IRCA) of 1986  - NAFTA: 1994, trilateral trade bloc between Canada/Mexico/USA

Estimated 11.8 million unauthorized immigrants living & working in the U.S. as of 2007  - Immigration & Nationality Act of 1965: reversal of immigration quotas.  Labor Needs-Influx of Asian & Hispanic immigrants.  Largely Mexican concentrated- (57% of unauthorized population)  Asylees/Refugees  Once Legal- Over stayed Visas Border entry- dangers  Immigrants have established lives in the U.S.A

109 th Congress ( )  - H.R. 4437; Bill introduced in House of Reps: Sensenbrenner Bill -Conservative Attempt.  Created felons/ Provided No amnesty…  - S. 2611: More Moderate Response.  DREAM Act 110 th Congressional approach ( )  - S No new legislation- Demonstrates the difficulty in forcing Congress to compromise.

2006 Protests/Walk-outs: Peaceful & Organized…  May Day (& the ‘Sleeping Giant’) -- Over 500,000 protestors in places with large immigrant communities; like LA, Chicago, & Arizona.  Primarily Protesting Criminalization of H.R Resulted in Congressional Gridlock- --Instead gov’t focused on building the fence.  Catholic Church  Students as key role (push for the DREAM Act)  Different calls for reform: maintaining family units, employers, students etc.

 Obama Administration- (at the moment Immigration has no issue salience.) --Many believe He will lead in a push for immigration reform.  Public is largely divided.  Legalization?  Worker Programs?  “Z Visas”...Depends on the economy Different Immigrants’ assimilation: Traditional/Segmented/New Assimilation may call for different aspects of a Comprehensive Immigrant Reform.

Thank You For Your Attention [Any Questions ?] The Public Isn’t Necessarily Divided Along Party Lines; Illegal Immigration Is A Delicate Issue With Varying Perspectives Concerning Appropriate Immigration Reform.