1. Immigration Reform Brought to You by: Anjuli, Ian and Emily

2. Government Agencies  Department of Homeland Security  U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS)  Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)  Priority = criminals and fugitives, often encounter other illegals  enforce immigration law

3. Current Laws  Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986  Illegal for employers to knowingly hire illegal aliens, must attest for ability to work  Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act - 1996  Sets reentry limitations for illegal immigrants

4. Current Laws  Immigration Act of 1990  Increased the number of legal immigrants allowed in per year, created lottery program to assign visas  Secure Fence Act of 2006  700 miles of additional fencing, checkpoints & lighting, increased technology available to DHS

5. Issues  Amnesty  Government pardon for violating immigration policies and allowing them to become permanent residents  Immigration Reform and Control Act – 1986  6 other pieces of legislation have offered one- time amnesty  Case to case basis

6. Issues  National Security  Many conspirators in terrorist attacks have been illegal immigrants  Agriculture/Economy  Many citizens are upset that illegal immigrants take jobs from unemployed Americans  Increase in Food Prices?  Impact on unemployment rates and wages  Positive/negative effects  small net effect

7. In Favor of/Against Immigrants In Favor  Immigrants help economy  Victims of the system  Human rights issue  Laws should be more humane, immigrants should have opportunity for amnesty, residency, citizenship Against  Immigrants take jobs from citizens  Drain economy (sending $ home, not paying taxes)  Increase border security, enforcement and deportation

8. Pros and Cons: Strict Reforms Pros  National Security  Border states will have more money to spend  Illegal immigrants take jobs and money from U.S. economy Cons  Expensive  Not enough manpower to enforce  Loss of work force  Morality – America founded by immigrants

9. Recent Developments  Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005  Focus more on locking down border to prevent future illegal crossings  Building fences along some of the more highly trafficked areas along the border  Makes an easier process for the government to arrange for illegal aliens to be sent home  Good: adds security from national threats  Bad: classifies illegal aliens as felons, and anyone who aids them, raising harsher punishments than opponents feel are necessary

10. Recent Developments  The American DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education of Alien Minors)  Proposed in Senate in 2001, reintroduced to Senate and House in 2009  Requirements: Must be under 16 when entering the US, lived in US for 5 years prior to enactment of bill, graduate High School or GED, must be between 12 and 35 at time of application, and have good morale character  Would allow people who meet the above requirements to go to college (& receive financial aid), enlist in the military, and start on the path to becoming citizens

11. Recent Developments  Safe Neighborhoods, Immigration, Law Enforcement (Arizona Law) – 2010  Allows police to check for immigration status of any arrested person(s)  Any crimes committed by an illegal alien while in possession of drugs, weapons, etc. are immediately classified as a Class 3 Felony  Would get change birthright citizenship, and make it so one parent must be a citizen to obtain citizenship for baby  Some say it violates the Equal Protection Clause of 14th Amendment

12. FAIR  Federation for American Immigration Reform  “Our nation's immigration policies must be reformed to serve the national interest”  Goals: improve border security, stop illegal immigration, and to promote immigration levels of about 300,000 per year

13. Center for Immigration Services  Part of DHS  Strengthening current system  Higher security  Against DREAM Act  Too expensive  Allows immigrants to take spaces of citizens

14. National Immigration Forum  Pro-Immigration  Advocates for immigrants  “Our vision is to create US immigration policy that honors our nation’s ideals, protects human dignity, reflects our country’s economic demands, celebrates family unity and provides opportunities for progress. ”

15. Democratic Party Views  In favor of pro-immigrant policy reform  Support giving immigrants the opportunity to become citizens  Offer English-language and civic engagement classes  Punish employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants  US is a nation of immigrants

16. Republican Party Views  Stricter border control and penalties for those smuggling illegal immigrants into the US  US-VISIT system  Opposed to amnesty  Punish employers and employees who violate immigration laws

17. Constitution Party Views  Duty of federal government to guard and protect US borders  Regulation of numbers and qualifications of immigrants  Unconstitutional for illegal immigrants to be eligible for public assistance  Detrimental effect on our economy  In favor of a moratorium on immigration in US  Opposed to amnesty and bilingual ballots

18. DREAM Act Estimations Camarota, Steven A. "Estimating the Impact of the DREAM Act." Center for Immigration Studies. Nov. 2010. Web. 02 Dec. 2010..

19. Benefits of DREAM Act  Lower drop-out rate  College-educated pay more in taxes and cost less in criminal justice than lesser educated  Earn more  pay more in taxes & social security

20. Public Opinion Morales, Lymari. Gallup Chart. 27 July 2010. Web. 23 Nov. 2010..

21. Public Opinion Saad, Lydia. Gallup. Chart. 4 May 2010. Web. 23 Nov. 2010..

22. Public Opinion Saad, Lydia. Gallup. Chart. 4 May 2010. Web. 23 Nov. 2010..